Q&A for How to Deter Bees

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I see bees going into a vent outside our back door. We have seen bees inside the house lately. Should we assume a hive (inside) exists, and are we doomed?

Community Answer

You're not doomed. Contact a local bee keeper and ask about removal of established honey bee colonies.

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Question

I leave an outside light on starting in the early afternoon, and when I get home, there may be just one bee near my door, with no sign of a hive near the front of the house. What can I do to stop the bee from being in front of the house?

Community Answer

It is possible bees are being attracted to the light you put on. Try not putting the light on and see if that makes a difference. However, it's best to not worry about a single bee -- it's probably just passing by and you happen to spot it.

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Question

How can I keep bees off my patio?

Community Answer

Bottom line, you can't "keep" them away from anywhere, they're free-flying insects which will fly where they want. To minimise bee activity, try using natural bee repellents (such as tea-tree oil and benzaldehye; lemongrass, peppermint oil and citronella; or citrus, mint and eucalyptus oils) and keep any food and drink well covered.

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Question

How do I keep bees out of my hot tub?

Community Answer

We had the same problem as our neighbor is a beekeeper. What worked for us is filling a small dish with vinegar and placing it on top of the hot tub filter. It stopped the bees from attempting to get water from the hot tub.

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Question

How do I keep bees from entering the air pipe outside that goes to my furnace?

Community Answer

Cover it with a mesh small enough to prevent any bees from getting through.

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Question

How do I keep bees away if I'm driving with the windows down in the summer?

Community Answer

Put some vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it in your car. The smell should keep the bees away.

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Question

How can I keep wasps from building nests in the crevices of my car doors?

Community Answer

Spray white vinegar and water in a 3:1 ratio into the crevices. The smell should deter them.

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Question

How do I prevent wasps from making a nest?

Community Answer

There are 2 ways that you can do so: 1) Rub an acid substance, such as lemon juice or white vinegar, on the surfaces where hives are often spotted. 2) When you spot a small hive forming, use a garden hose to spray it on high pressure. Note that this is only for hives at their intermediate stages, and it is recommended to stay at least 10 meters away.

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Question

How do I keep bees away from my aviaries and bird nest boxes?

Community Answer

During the daytime, keep your bird nest box closed if not in use. You can also make some sugar water and put it near your aviary/bird nest box, but far enough away so the bees won't be a nuisance. They will go for the water.

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Question

Besides a pool cover, how do I keep bees away from my pool?

Community Answer

Vinegar, catnip, and white pine are strong-smelling things that bees do not like.

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Question

How can I keep bees from bothering me while I am biking?

Yuna Song

Community Answer

Have you thought about using bug spray? If you haven't, try to see if that works. If they still bother you, try wearing thick clothing.

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Question

Does speaking to the bee have any effect on making it go away?

Sebastian Onofrei

Community Answer

No. A bee won't understand human communication, so you won't get anywhere with trying to say "shoo" to a bee to make it go away.

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Question

I live next to a bee farm. I have a flower business and the bees deter and attack me and customers. How do I keep them away on a large scale?

Community Answer

Maybe make a bowl of “bee bait. ” To keep bees away from you and your guests outside, use a bowl of sweet-smelling liquid to draw the bees’ attention. Pour a generous amount of soda, maple syrup, orange juice, or fruit juice (of any variety) into a bowl. Keep this some distance away from the flowers and customers and it should keep the bees at bay.

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Question

How do I stop bees coming in the chimney?

Rod Yates

Community Answer

It is very likely there is already a nest in the chimney, because the updraft conditions are ideal. Removing them, usually requiring a safe pesticide, is a job for a licensed pest controller.

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