The Ultimate Guide to Keep Bees Away From Deck, Porch, Patio, House

To keep bees away from your deck, porch, patio, or house, there are a few measures you can take. Firstly, avoid planting flowers or flowering plants near these areas since they attract bees. Instead, opt for plants that repel them, like marigolds, mint, or eucalyptus. Keep food and sweet drinks covered, and clean up spills promptly to avoid attracting bees. Consider using natural bee repellents, such as citrus-based sprays or essential oils like peppermint or citronella, which can be applied directly to the affected areas. Finally, ensure that any openings or cracks in your home’s walls or windows are sealed to prevent bees from entering your living space.

Understand Why Bees Are Attracted to Your Living Space

Types of Bees That Might be a Nuisance

There are over 20,000 species of bees in the world, but only a few types of bees are typically attracted to our living spaces. These include:

• Honey bees
• Bumble bees
• Carpenter bees

Common Reasons Bees are Attracted to Decks, Porches, Patios, and Houses

Bees are attracted to our living spaces for a few common reasons:

1. Food Sources: Bees are attracted to sweet, sugary substances such as nectar, pollen, and honeydew. These can be found in flowers, fruit trees, and even in the food and drinks we consume outside.
2. Water Sources: Bees need water to survive, and they may be attracted to standing water or leaks around our homes.
3. Nesting and Shelter: Bees need a place to nest and seek shelter, and our homes and outdoor structures can provide that.

Recognizing Signs of a Bee Infestation

If you notice an unusual amount of bees around your living space, there may be a nest nearby. Signs of a bee infestation include:

• A swarm of bees flying in and out of a small hole or crack in your home or outdoor structure
• A buzzing sound coming from a particular area of your home or outdoor structure
• Honeycomb-shaped structures near your living space

If you suspect a bee infestation, it is best to contact a professional bee removal service to safely remove the nest.

Preventative Measures to Keep Bees Away

There are several preventative measures you can take to keep bees away from your living space.

Remove or Reduce Food Sources

1. Properly Store and Cover Food and Drinks: When eating or drinking outside, make sure to properly store and cover any food and drinks that are sweet or sugary. This will help to minimize the attraction of bees.
2. Limit Use of Fragrant Flowers in Landscaping: Bees are attracted to fragrant flowers, so limit the use of these types of plants in your landscaping.
3. Regularly Clean Up After Meals and Snacks: Be sure to clean up any food or drink spills and crumbs from outdoor meals and snacks. Bees are attracted to even the smallest amount of sugary substances.

Eliminate Water Sources

1. Fix Leaks and Standing Water: Fix any leaks or standing water around your home or outdoor living space. Bees need water to survive, and eliminating their water source can help keep them away.
2. Regularly Empty and Clean Bird Baths and Pet Water Dishes: Make sure to regularly empty and clean bird baths and pet water dishes, as these can attract bees.

Discourage Nesting and Shelter

1. Seal Gaps and Cracks in Your Home’s Exterior: Bees can use small gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior to nest and seek shelter. Seal any gaps and cracks to prevent this.
2. Remove Potential Nesting Sites: Remove any piles of debris or wood that may provide a potential nesting site for bees.
3. Keep Outdoor Furniture and Play Equipment Clean and Free from Debris: Be sure to keep outdoor furniture and play equipment clean and free from debris, as these can also provide potential nesting sites for bees.

Natural Deterrents

There are several natural deterrents that you can use to keep bees away from your living space.

Plants That Repel Bees

1. List of Bee-Repelling Plants: Some plants have scents or properties that repel bees. These include mint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, citronella, marigolds, basil, and lavender.
2. How to Incorporate These Plants into Your Landscaping: You can incorporate these plants into your landscaping by planting them in pots or in specific areas of your yard to create a barrier between your living space and the bee-attracting areas.

Essential Oils

1. List of Bee-Repelling Essential Oils: Some essential oils also have scents that repel bees. These include peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemongrass, and lavender.
2. Methods for Using Essential Oils as a Deterrent: You can use these essential oils as a deterrent by mixing them with water and spraying the mixture around your living space or on yourself when spending time outside.

DIY Bee-Repellent Sprays and Solutions

There are several DIY bee-repellent sprays and solutions that you can make using ingredients found around your home. These include:

• A mixture of water and vinegar
• A mixture of water and dish soap
• A mixture of water and peppermint oil

Physical Barriers

Physical barriers can also be used to keep bees away from your living space.

Screens and Netting

1. Types of Screens and Nets Available: There are several types of screens and nets available that can be used to create a barrier between your living space and the bee-attracting areas.
2. How to Properly Install Screens and Nets: It is important to properly install screens and nets to ensure they are effective. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions or seek the help of a professional to ensure proper installation.

Creating a Perimeter

1. Using Fencing or Hedges as a Barrier: You can create a barrier between your living space and the bee-attracting areas by using fencing or hedges.
2. The Effectiveness of These Barriers: While these barriers can be effective, they may not completely keep bees away.

Professional Help and Extermination

If you have a bee infestation, it is important to seek the help of a professional bee removal service. They have the tools and expertise to safely remove the nest and prevent future infestations.

When to Call a Professional

You should call a professional bee removal service if:

• You are allergic to bee stings
• The nest is located in a hard-to-reach area
• The nest is large or has been present for a long period of time

Types of Bee Removal Services

There are several types of bee removal services available, including:

• Live bee removal
• Bee extermination
• Honey bee removal

Safety Precautions and Considerations

When dealing with bees, it is important to take safety precautions to avoid getting stung. These include:

• Wearing protective clothing
• Being aware of your surroundings and avoiding sudden movements
• Using caution when approaching a bee nest
• Seeking the help of a professional if necessary

FAQs

Q1. Why Are Wasps Coming to My Desk?

There could be a few reasons why wasps are coming to your desk. It’s possible that there might be something attracting them, such as food or sugary substances like drinks or remnants of sweet snacks. Wasps are also drawn to bright colors and strong scents, so if your desk has any vibrant items or strong-smelling objects, it could be catching their attention. Additionally, if there are openings or cracks in the walls or windows near your desk, wasps might be finding their way inside from the outside.

Q2. Can I Repel Wasps?

Yes, there are several ways to repel wasps from your desk or immediate surrounding area. You can try using natural repellents like peppermint oil, lemon oil, or eucalyptus oil, which can be sprayed or dabbed onto surfaces or cotton balls and placed strategically around your desk. Wasps are also deterred by strong scents, so using citronella candles or diffusers with citronella oil can be effective. Additionally, removing any food or drink sources and keeping your desk clean and free from crumbs or spills can help discourage wasps from hanging around.

Q3. Can I Get Rid of Carpenter Bees?

Yes, there are ways to get rid of carpenter bees if they are causing an issue. One method is to seal or plug any existing carpenter bee holes with wood putty or caulk. This prevents them from reoccupying the same tunnels. Another approach is to treat the affected wood with insecticides specifically designed for carpenter bees. These can be applied by spraying or injecting into the existing holes. It’s important to follow the instructions and safety precautions provided by the insecticide manufacturer. To prevent future infestations, you can also paint or varnish any exposed wood surfaces, as carpenter bees are less likely to burrow into painted or varnished wood.

Q4. What Is The Best Repellent for Bees?

When it comes to repelling bees, there are a few options to consider. Some effective natural repellents for bees include peppermint oil, lemongrass oil, citronella oil, and eucalyptus oil. These can be mixed with water and sprayed around areas you want to keep bees away from. It’s important to note, however, that while these natural repellents can deter bees, they are not foolproof and might not work as effectively as chemical insecticides. If you have a severe bee problem that requires immediate action, it is recommended to contact a professional pest control service to handle the situation safely and effectively.

Q5. How to Create An Effective Repellent for Bees?

Add one tablespoon of pure (99%) rubbing alcohol, 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar, and 5 to 6 drops of lavender essential oil and 6 drops of Tea tree oil into a spray bottle.

Conclusion

Keeping bees away from your living space is important for both your comfort and safety. By understanding why bees are attracted to our living spaces, recognizing the signs of a bee infestation, and taking preventative measures, using natural deterrents, physical barriers, and seeking professional help when necessary, you can keep bees away while still protecting their essential role in the environment.

Summary of Methods Discussed

• Remove or reduce food sources
• Eliminate water sources
• Discourage nesting and shelter
• Use plants, essential oils, and DIY sprays as natural deterrents
• Use screens, netting, fencing, or hedges as physical barriers
• Seek professional help for bee removal

Importance of Finding a Balance Between Bee Protection and Personal Comfort

While it is important to keep bees away from our living spaces for our own comfort and safety, it is also important to remember the essential role that bees play in our environment. Bees are responsible for pollinating the plants and crops that make up a significant portion of our food supply. By finding a balance between bee protection and personal comfort, we can protect both ourselves and the environment.

Encouragement to Continue Learning About Bees and Their Role in the Environment

As we continue to take steps to keep bees away from our living spaces, it is important to continue learning about bees and their role in the environment. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating our food supply, and their decline in recent years has been a cause for concern. By learning more about bees and their importance, we can take steps to protect them while still keeping them away from our living spaces.