Bees are an essential part of the environment. They are virtually the only insect that undertakes pollination. This is the process where flowers are fertilized and scattered, allowing more to grow. Without pollination many of the plants on the planet would cease to exist, giving huge problems for the environment and human survival.
As such, you don’t want to harm bees unnecessarily. Of course, that doesn’t mean you want them living on your doorstep, especially if you are allergic to them. In extreme cases, you’ll want to call the exterminators, although they may choose to remove the nest rather than destroy it and the bees.
A good local pest control company will be able to re-site a bees nest, probably with a local beekeeper. This helps to protect the environment and solves the issue for you.
The following tips will help to deter the bees from establishing a nest near you, eliminating the issue before it becomes a problem.
Fake Hive
Bees are territorial, they don’t generally create nests too close to other bees. You can use this to your advantage by putting up several fake nests around your garden. It can be enough to prevent the bees from creating their own nest.
Garlic
For some reason, bees don’t like the smell of garlic. If you sprinkle garlic powder in areas where they may create a nest or near where they are already nesting it should be enough to persuade them to move.
But, never put garlic powder on the bee, it will kill it.
Peppermint
Peppermint is another aroma that bees don’t like. Plant it around your garden and the perimeter of your home and the bees will look elsewhere to create their new home.
Cinnamon
This is another spice that has a distinctive aroma. Again, sprinkle this powder where they may nest or close to their existing nest. It will drive them away from the nest without harming them. They’ll set up a new nest elsewhere so make sure you keep sprinkling your chosen powder to keep them away.
Citronella
You may be surprised to discover that these candles, traditionally used to keep mosquitoes away, also work with bees. You can burn them inside or outside of your home. The smell is not repulsive to a bee but it does hide the smells that attract bees, sending them elsewhere!
Soap
If you get a spray bottle and fill it with a half water/half dish soap mixture you’ll have a great spray deterrent. Simply spray the area around the nest and anywhere else you don’t want them to be. Most people agree spraying at night is more effective. Scientists aren’t sure why this approach is effective but it does encourage the bees to move on.
Professional Removal
Your local pest control company can put you in touch with a local beekeeper or removal firm that will take the entire nest and the bees, without damaging it. The bees can then be resettled, allowing the beekeeper to benefit from the honey and the bees to live without being disturbed.