The importance of bees and the impact they have on the environment has been widely acknowledged in various studies. Environmental changes have resulted in the worldwide bee population decreasing rapidly and protecting bees is a task everyone needs to take seriously.
In addition to providing honey bees are needed to pollinate numerous plants that provide us with food and many other essential ingredients for various products, we have come to rely on. Without bees pollinating plants, it is estimated farmers would need to spend huge amounts of money to pollinate crops using other methods.
Bees of course also make honey which is not only a source of nutrition but also used for numerous medicinal purposes.
Why Bees Sting
Bees will only sting when they are agitated or unable to get away from a perceived threat or their hive is in danger. The most obvious concern when it comes to removing bees is how to avoid being stung without killing them.
There are recognized methods to remove bees from their hives that will not harm the bees and killing bees should be avoided whenever possible. It is advisable to use these methods to encourage the bees to leave their hive or nest and not to try to actually remove a hive or nest until it has been abandoned. To prevent being stung always move away slowly when you see a bee or bees.
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Photo of a Bumblebee
Finding Bee Hive Locations
Before removing bees, you should find out where they have built their hive or nest. Common bee species and their nesting habits include:
Honey Bees: Build hives outdoors and die after stinging once.
Bumblebees: Live in large colonies in burrows, wall cavities, or compost heaps, and can sting multiple times.
Ground Bees and Yellow Jackets: Nest underground.
Carpenter Bees: Bore tunnels in wood, causing structural damage.
Mason Bees: Nest in walls or masonry holes.
Solitary Bees: Live alone in nests but often in close proximity to other solitary bees.
How to Tell the Difference Between Bees, Wasps, and Hornets
There are a few differences in the appearance of bees, wasps and hornets. Here are the most easy to spot features of each:
Bees: Have small hairs on their bodies, giving them a fuzzy appearance.
Wasps: Have black and yellow stripes, and a slimmer body with a tapered waist.
Hornets: Larger than bees and wasps, with brown, red, and yellow-orange markings.
When to Call a Beekeeper
Bees and their hives are valuable, local beekeepers are often willing to help relocate them, so it's always worth checking to see if you have any beekeepers close that can assist you. Alternatively, in the UK you can also contact the Environmental Health Department for assistance.
Natural Bee Removal Methods
Below are a few natural ways to remove bees without harming them. Always take care around bee hives and move slowly to reduce the possibility of getting stung.
• Garlic, Peppermint and Cinnamon: Bees dislike the smell of garlic, peppermint and cinnamon. You can easily make your own garlic spray with hot water and crushed garlic cloves or peppermint oil can be diluted. Spray the hive or stand as close to it as possible. Cinnamon can simply be bought in powder form and sprinkled around the hive. You will need to do this multiple times and it is not always effective.
• Citronella candles: Citronella candles are an effective way to get bees to leave an inside hive. Choose a calm day when it is not raining, open your windows and be prepared to keep the candles burning for a few days, for this method to work .
• Mothballs: Bees do not like the smell of mothballs and if you position them close to a hive it will not only persuade the bees to leave, they are unlikely to return. Make sure you replace any mothballs that become wet when left outside or they will become ineffective .
Ways to Prevent Bees From Building Nests and Hives
Protect wood surfaces with aluminium or vinyl coverings
Paint exposed wood with polyurethane
Remove containers of standing water
Hang replica bee nests near your property to deter real bees from building hives
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Herbs in pots on windowsill
Bee-Repelling Plants
Not only will all of these plants repel bees but they are all easy to grow, smell lovely and can be used to cook with and make your own essential oils.
• Basil: Can be made into a basil infused liquid, by crushing basil leaves and adding to hot water, spray this around areas populated with bees to encourage them to stay away
• Lemongrass: Has natural oil citronella in it and can be grown or made into lemongrass infused liquid and sprayed to deter bees
• Rosemary plants: Great for cooking with and will repel bees and other insects
• Mint plants: Great for preventing bees, in addition, you can also use it to make your own mint spray to spray around any areas where you want to discourage bees
The worldwide bee population is essential and the environmental effects of a reduced bee population are far reaching and detrimental to everyone on the planet. Ensuring bees survive and the population is not eradicated is becoming increasingly essential and we hope this information will help you to repel and remove bees without causing them, or yourself any harm.
If you know of any other natural methods that will repel bees, please post them in the comments.
The Importance of Protecting Bees
Bees are crucial to the environment, and their declining population threatens global food production and ecosystems. Ensuring the survival of bees is a shared responsibility, and using natural, non-lethal methods to manage bees can help maintain this vital species.
If you know of any other natural methods for repelling bees, feel free to share them in the comments.
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References
Below is a curated list of resources and scientific studies that provide evidence and support for the content discussed in this article. These references offer valuable insights and further reading on key topics, helping to validate the information and provide a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
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