What Repels Bees and Wasps: 12 Natural Methods to Keep Them Away

Bees and wasps play an important role in our ecosystem by pollinating plants and flowers. However, you definitely don’t want them buzzing around you when enjoying the outdoors. Getting stung can be painful and potentially dangerous if you have an allergy. Fortunately, there are many effective and natural ways to repel bees and wasps without harming them.

In this article, we’ll cover 12 of the best methods and repellents to humanely keep bees and wasps away from your home and outdoor spaces.

Why Bees and Wasps Can Be a Problem

Bees and wasps, especially yellow jackets can aggressively defend their nests if you accidentally get too close. Their stings are painful and can cause serious allergic reactions in some people.

If you plan on spending time gardening, grilling outdoors, or letting kids play in the backyard, bee and wasp nests nearby pose a safety risk.

Some wasps, like yellow jackets, are also attracted to human food and drinks They can ruin an outdoor picnic or barbecue if they start swarming around your plates and cups

While extermination is an option, there are many simple, natural ways to deter bees and wasps without killing them. Let’s look at some of the most effective methods.

1. Citronella Oil

Citronella oil is commonly used in commercial insect repellent products. The strong aroma of this plant-based oil repels mosquitoes, bees, wasps, and other flying insects.

You can grow citronella plants in your garden or yard for natural pest control. For a stronger repellent effect, use pure citronella essential oil. Add several drops around nests or dilute in water and spray onto plants and trees where bees or wasps are spotted. Reapply after rain.

2. Peppermint Essential Oil

The strong minty smell of peppermint oil is unpleasant to bees and wasps. It’s an excellent natural bee repellent.

Place a few drops of peppermint essential oil on cotton balls. Stick them around your porch garden fixtures, or anywhere you want to keep bees and wasps away. You can also dilute with water and spray directly onto surfaces.

3. Clove Essential Oil

Clove oil contains compounds naturally toxic to some insects. It can deter bees, wasps, mosquitos, and ants.

Add several drops of clove oil to a spray bottle filled with water. Mist it around lawn furniture, trash cans, decks, and trees to repel these annoying pests. The lingering aroma keeps them away.

Clove oil spray can also be used on beekeeping suits and other skin surfaces for extra protection. Just be sure to dilute it first.

4. Wasp Traps

Wasp traps lure in the insects with sweet bait and contain them so they can’t escape. Traps are very effective at decreasing wasp populations without insecticides.

You can purchase ready-made wasp traps or easily make your own:

• Cut the top portion off a plastic soda or water bottle.

• Invert it and insert into the base of the bottle.

• Add bait such as jam, fruit juice, or sugar water inside.

Hang traps near problem areas in your yard. Maintain traps by emptying out dead insects and refreshing bait.

5. Citrus Peels

The citric acid in orange and lemon peels naturally repels bees and wasps.

Collect used peels instead of throwing them away. Place them around outdoor living areas, food prep stations, and potential nest sites. You’ll likely see fewer wasps trying to build nests around your house.

For a quick fix, rub the peel of a fresh lemon or orange on your skin to mask scents that attract bees.

6. Herbs and Flowers

Many common garden herbs and flowers help deter bees, wasps, and other unwanted pests. Try planting these natural repellents:

• Basil
• Lavender
• Marigolds
• Chrysanthemums
• Catnip
• Garlic
• Mint
• Cilantro
• Thyme

Plant them around the edges of your yard or garden. Their fragrances work well to keep stinging insects away.

7. Cedarwood Oil

Cedarwood essential oil gives off a woodsy, warm scent that wasps dislike. The natural compounds in cedar oil are also toxic to some insects.

Like other essential oils, mix a few drops of cedarwood oil with water in a spray bottle. Spray onto plants, around door and window frames, under patio furniture, and anywhere wasps are frequently spotted.

8. Cucumber Slices

It may seem odd, but fresh cucumber slices repel bees and wasps. Cucumbers contain acids and chemicals that are unappealing to these insects.

Place thinly sliced cucumbers around your outdoor space. Replace them every 2-3 days as needed. You can also rub cucumber juice onto your skin for extra repellent power.

9. Eucalyptus Oil

The strong scent of eucalyptus oil keeps bees, wasps, and other flying pests away. For safety, dilute eucalyptus oil with water before spraying it around nests, entrance points to your home, and other areas.

You can also plant eucalyptus bushes. They give off a constant repellent aroma when the leaves and flowers are present.

10. Vinegar

Plain white vinegar is a natural home remedy to get rid of bees and wasps. The acetic acid damages their exoskeleton and disrupts pheromone sensing.

Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Lightly spray nests, entry points, and other areas where you see increased bee or wasp activity. It’s safe for plants and produces no toxic residue. Reapply as needed.

11. Aluminum Foil

This everyday household item can repel stinging insects when used properly. The polarized light reflected off aluminum foil confuses bees and wasps. It makes them unable to land where you’ve placed the foil.

Wrap aluminum foil around porch railings, poles, tree trunks, and other attractive nesting spots. Keep the shiny side exposed and outwards. Bees and wasps will look for alternative locations instead.

12. Avoid Flowery Perfumes and Bright Colors

When spending time outdoors, avoid flowery perfumes, colognes, and scented body lotions. These sweet fragrances attract bees and wasps.

Also stay away from brightly colored clothing, especially floral prints. Stinging insects see bright patterns as indicators of flowers. Opt for light or neutral colors when outside to be less noticeable.

Call a Pest Control Professional for Severe Infestations

For large hives and serious bee or wasp infestations, it’s best to call a professional pest control company. They have commercial-grade solutions and protective equipment to fully eliminate the nests.

Trying to manage very large bee or wasp populations yourself can be ineffective and unsafe. Licensed exterminators know how to properly remove hives and nests without harming your family or pets.

With some smart precautions, you can safely enjoy outdoor living while keeping painful stings at bay. Natural repellents are ideal solutions to ward off bees and wasps without toxic chemicals or extermination.

Implement several of these simple, environmentally-friendly methods to keep bees and wasps away this summer. Your backyard activities will be more relaxing when you don’t have to worry about pests ruining the fun.