9 Easy Ways to Protect Bees While Keeping Them Out of Your Home
Without causing harm to the bees or the environment
The world needs bees, but we don’t need them in our homes. Hey, I get that they want the same things we do: shelter, food, and suitable nesting sites (haha).
The problem is the whole stinger situation. Whether someone has a serious bee sting allergy or just a solid case of fear (also known as mellisophobia), the fact is that we don’t want them in our homes.
Important Reasons Why We Need Bees
Bees are vital to our ecosystem because they are pollinators. Pollination enables plants to produce fruits, seeds, and new plants.
This process is essential for the reproduction of many flowering plants, including numerous crops that humans rely on for food.
Food Production
Did you know that bees pollinate around one-third of the food we eat? This includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Crops like apples, almonds, strawberries, and tomatoes depend heavily on bee pollination.
Without bees, we would have fewer food options, threatening both our diets and food security.
Biodiversity
Bees contribute to the health of ecosystems by pollinating wild plants.
These plants provide food and habitat for a wide range of wildlife, helping to maintain biodiversity.
Economic Impact
The agricultural industry benefits significantly from bee pollination, which boosts crop yields and quality.
Medicinal Plants
The loss of bees could impact the availability of plants used in traditional and modern medicine, potentially hindering medical advancements and treatments derived from plant sources.
Ecosystem Services
Beyond pollination, bees contribute to the overall health of ecosystems by supporting the growth of plants that prevent soil erosion and increase water retention. These plants also contribute to carbon sequestration, helping to mitigate climate change.
Bee Statistics:
Close to 35% of invertebrate pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies, face extinction globally.
Roughly 17% of vertebrate pollinators, such as bats, face extinction globally.
According to the Bee Conservancy, habitat loss is a major factor in the decline of bee populations.
95% of the natural world in the United States has become “unnatural,” which negatively impacts the resources (abundant pollen and nectar sources, nesting sites, and shelter) bees need to survive.
It’s estimated that 75% of the world’s 20,000+ bee species have a foraging range of 300 meters or less. Bees can’t survive and reproduce if food and shelter are not nearby.
One out of every three bites of food you eat is there because of pollinators, like bees.
More than 800 species of wild bees live in Canada.
4000 bee species are native to the United States.
Roughly 10% of bees in the United States have yet to be named or described.
One honey bee colony can gather about 40 pounds of pollen and 265 pounds of nectar in a single year.
About 75% of North American plant species require an insect (mostly bees) to move their pollen from one plant to another.
SOURCES:
How to Keep Bees Away From Your Home
1. Natural Bee Repellent
Certain scents are unpleasant to bees and may deter them from nesting near your home.
Essential oils like peppermint oil and citronella are effective natural bee deterrents.
Mix with water in a spray bottle to create a natural solution that deters bees. Simply spray the mixture around your picnic area or food table to keep bees at a safe distance.
2. Provide Bee-Friendly Plant Alternatives
Plant bee-attracting flowers and herbs away from your home to help prevent bees from nesting in your home. Choose plants that bloom at different times to provide a continuous nectar source throughout the season.
Plant these bee-attracting plants away from your home:
Lavender
Sunflowers
Salvia
Bee Balm
Catmint
Coneflowers
Goldenrod
Borage (herb)
Cosmos
Wildflowers
3. Remove Scents that Attract Bees
Minimize odors that attract bees by cleaning up food residues, spills, and garbage, especially in outdoor eating areas.
4. Cover Food and Drinks
Bees are attracted to sugary nectar, sugary drinks, and the scent of barbecue. Use lids on food containers and trash cans to prevent bees from being drawn to these smells.
5. Avoid Bright Colors and Floral Patterns
Bees are naturally attracted to bright colors, which they associate with flowers. Consider using neutral or earth-toned exterior decorations.
6. Create Alternative Water Sources
Bees need water, especially during warm weather.
Offering alternative water sources (try shallow dishes filled with water and pebbles) away from human activity can help keep them away from busy areas of your property.
7. Maintain Vegetation
Trim overgrown vegetation around your home, especially flowering plants and bushes that attract bees. Regularly mow the lawn and remove weeds to minimize potential nesting sites.
8. Citronella Candles and Banana Peels
Burning citronella candles can help keep bees at bay during outdoor gatherings. Additionally, placing banana peels in strategic locations can repel bees due to their pungent odor.
Questionable data
It’s important to note that there is limited scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of banana peels in repelling bees.
9. Create Physical Barriers
Seal entry points by installing screens or mesh over vents, chimneys, and other openings to prevent bees from accessing potential nesting sites indoors.
Use bee-proof netting or fences to protect vulnerable areas like vegetable gardens or fruit trees.
How do you keep bees away from your home?
Send me a comment!