How to Keep Bees Away Naturally (Without Harming Them)

Simple Ways to Keep Bees Away

In most cases, there is no reason for alarm over a few Bumble bees or honey bees, gathering nectar and pollen from flowers. They are actually very docile unless their nest is nearby.

While bees do sting humans – they often have better things to do unless threatened.

Keep in mind, there are some similarities and differences between bees and wasps. What works to keep away one insect may not work for another.

You may want to reduce the number of bees around a patio, child’s play area or outdoor gathering. Before breaking out the chemical bug killers, try a few natural methods of keeping bees away.

• limit exposed food (soda cans etc.) – keep trash cans well away from sitting areas
• use scent to deter bees (ground cinnamon, vinegar, vanilla extract, essential oils)
• avoid floral perfumes, hair spray or scented sunscreens
• do not wear bright colors outside in garden settings
• identify and remove nearby nests while small-seek appropriate removal help
• plant flowers known to repel bees – or at least be less attractive to them

Natural Bee Deterrents: What Might Help?

Many insects (including bees) are very sensitive to odors. Their ability to use scent to find food is far superior to ours.

Some strong odors are commonly suggested as natural bee deterrents, though results can vary.

Scents That May Discourage Bees

When planning an outside party- or if you are having a problem with insects near a doorway, consider sprinkling a little ground cinnamon around.

Beekeepers often use this technique to aid in keeping ants out of their beehives too.

Place cucumber peels on some plates during your next outdoor activity. They are said to be discouraging to insect visits.

Crushed garlic is another natural way to keep insects away – if you can stand the smell yourself. I have not tried this one – I think it might keep everyone away.

Homemade Sprays and Essential Oils

Another idea is to make a spray with water and a little vinegar. Some people try misting this on patios and masonry areas, though results are not guaranteed.

Of course, always test on a small area first to make sure there is no damage to surfaces. Also, do not spray this on plants – vinegar is a natural weed killer and may damage vegetation.

Mixing a tablespoon of Vanilla Extract with water in a spray bottle, is another homemade spray that some people try.

Essential oils, such as peppermint oil, are sometimes suggested as bee deterrents. Placing a few cotton balls with a drop or two of peppermint oil around the deck can help.

It makes the area smell nice too! Keep some oils handy. Some essential oils provide bee sting relief.

Plants Around Patios and Doorways

Don’t invite a large bee population into high traffic areas. While bees help flowers by pollination, not every plant is equally attractive to bees.

When choosing plants to decorate areas near doorways and walks or to use in containers, choose those that repel bees – or that are less attractive.

Some aromatic plants, such as peppermint, eucalyptus and citronella, are often suggested as natural deterrents. However, they are not guaranteed to repel bees, especially when flowering.

Make Your Backyard Less Attractive to Bees

As a beekeeper, I spend more time telling people how to invite bees in – rather then discourage their visits. But, I know that you may want to reduce bee traffic in some areas and situations.

Avoid Sweet Scents and Bright Floral Clothing

If you dislike bees buzzing around you, don’t go outside looking and smelling like a flower. Bright colored clothing and strong floral perfumes or fragrances may bring the bees over to investigate.

A funny thing – is that sweet smelling baby powder tends to discourage bees. I often use it between my beekeeper gloves and the end of my sleeves when inspecting my beehives. It helps reduce stings on exposed skin.

Keep Food, Drinks and Trash Covered

During picnics or outside barbecues, avoid leaving food scraps or open cans of soda sitting around. Sugary drinks are very enticing to wasps and bees.

Especially during a nectar dearth (when natural nectar is in short supply). Once one finds the treat, they bring back friends. Move trashcans away from areas being used by people.

Create a Separate Space for Pollinators

Avoid flowering herbs that attract bees such as the salvias, and borage right beside your door or patio. Perhaps you have a space for those over in a secluded corner – a private bee garden area.

You can still enjoy beautiful flowers and support pollinators without inviting quite so many buzzing visitors into your favorite outdoor sitting areas.

What to Do About Bee and Wasp Nests

Learn how to tell the difference between a bee nest and a wasp nest before deciding what to do. Not every nest needs to be removed, especially if it is away from areas used by people.

I often destroy the grey paper wasps nests (while they are very small) by spraying them with soapy water early in the season. This helps reduce the bees (wasps) near my doorway.

Nests in the ground are typically Yellow Jacket Wasps. These aggressive predators can be very dangerous because the colonies grow large in late Summer.

Buying traps specifically for yellow jackets – or making your own yellow jacket trap is one way to have fewer wasps around.

While these methods help reduce the population of bees and wasps around your home, they likely will not work for carpenter bees.

Other than special traps, I have not found a great way to keep carpenter bees away. They rarely sting but they do considerable damage to wood decks and other wood structures.

Prevent Honey Bees from Moving Into Your House

Seeing honey bees visit your garden is a beautiful experience. However, if they take up residence in your home – that can be a big problem. It is very expensive to have honey bees removed from house walls or roof.

Avoid this problem by sealing gaps or openings in the siding of your house, porch columns and eaves.

A bee swarm is only trying to find a place for a new home but it is not best to have them sharing yours. A steady stream of bees going in and out may be a problem.

Contact a local beekeeping association for help.

If honey bees have already moved into a wall or other enclosed space, do not simply seal the entrance. The colony and comb need to be properly removed to prevent further problems. Contact an experienced bee removal professional for help.

Keeping Bees Away from Specific Areas

Some people have an intense fear of bees (apiphobia) or are allergic to stings. Naturally, they want to limit bee activity in certain areas.

Perhaps you enjoy watching hummingbirds, but keeping bees away from hummingbird feeders can be challenging.

And if you have beehives, you may find yourself explaining to neighbors how to keep bees out of swimming pools.

These are just a few situations where the lives of bees and humans sometimes clash.

Final Thoughts

There is no single method that will keep every bee away. Try a few of these techniques to see what works best for your situation.

You can even make your own beeswax citronella candles for evening parties, though they are not a reliable bee repellent.

Remember, most bees are simply looking for food or a place to live. With a little planning, you can reduce unwanted visitors while still protecting these important pollinators.