17 Effective Ways to Keep Bees Off Your Patio or Deck

When you spend too much time outside, you will encounter several bugs. Having many bees in your yard may appear terrible, but bees are an important element of the ecology.

You may or may not realize how important bees are for pollination and keeping things balanced in your local environment. This is not to say that you should have beehives all over your land.

Bees can be a bother, and having too many bees in areas of your home that you want to use can be aggravating. If you have bee problems near your patio deck, you may want to take certain steps to address the situation.

Continue reading to find out how to reliably keep bees away from your patio deck. This knowledge should allow you to enjoy your patio deck without being bothered or stung by bees.

Common Bee Species

Before you begin, consider determining the type of bee you have. Some solutions may be suitable for all bees. Other species, however, have specific strategies for dealing with them.

Ants and wasps are linked to bees. Bees, like these creatures, play an important role in maintaining our ecological balance and well-being.

Bees are pollinators, which means they help plants reproduce by spreading pollen with their bodies and legs. We wouldn’t have flowers or foods like nuts, veggies, or fruits if bees didn’t pollinate them.

While there are numerous bee species, the following are the most common:

European honey bees

Honey bees are well-known worldwide for producing beeswax and honey, yet they make up only a small fraction of the bee species population. They dwell in enormous colonies and can live for many years if they eat honey in the winter.

Western honey bees

Western honey bees, often known as European honey bees, are the most widespread species globally. Beekeepers prefer them because they pollinate and make honey.

Bumblebees

Bumblebees are little, spherical bees distinguished by their silky hair called pile. Because they are sociable insects, they are unlikely to attack unless provoked. But, on the other hand, Bumblebees would fiercely protect their nest against intruders, sometimes even across long distances.

Carpenter bees

The nesting tendency of this species gives rise to its name. Carpenter bees build their nests in rotting wood or bamboo. They resemble bumblebees in appearance, although they are largely harmless. A carpenter bee will not sting unless you provoke it.

Killer bees

Killer bees, also known as Africanized honey bees, are a hybrid species that resulted from the cross-breeding of African and European honey bees. Unlike the other species, they are aggressive and freely attack humans. In addition, they frequently attack in groups, so victims receive multiple stings simultaneously.

European dark bees

This bee is a honey bee subspecies. They are sometimes referred to as the German black bee because they strike violently without provocation.

Mining bees

Mining bees are solitary organisms and are the least frequent bee type. They like to make underground nests and avoid humans.

Knowing this vital knowledge can assist you in dealing with bees near your home. For example, while removing a bumblebee nest, you should proceed cautiously.

Finding bees near your home, on the other hand, does not necessarily indicate that you are at risk of being stung. It all comes down to the species’ temperament and breeding patterns.

Why are bees Dangerous?

• Bee stings can cause allergic reactions in certain people. In addition, being stung by a bee or numerous bees can have significant implications if an EpiPen is not used in time or if medical assistance is not readily available.
• Bee stings are incredibly unpleasant.

What are some of the signs of a bee infestation?

• There are an unusually large number of bees in the garden.
• There could be a bad odor in your house or garden. The odor of decomposing honey is particularly unpleasant.
• Wooden structures with holes. Carpenter bees enjoy boring holes in wood to build their nests.
• Dead bees in your house or buzzing sound in the walls
• Depending on the type of bee, the hive may be underground or in the walls if you can’t see it.

Look no further than your kitchen for a bee-killing home cure. If you don’t want to kill bees, you can easily repel them. All of this is accomplished without the use of dangerous chemicals.

1. Maintain a clean and dry balcony or patio deck

Examine your balcony space carefully and remove any items that do not belong there. Remove unused items, including old and unused pipes and hoses, empty buckets, and empty pots. Water attracts bees, so make sure there is no water everywhere. Maintain a clean and dry balcony at all times.

If you have potted plants on your balcony, ensure the soil is well-drained. During the summer, excess wetness will also draw bees flying in quest of water.

Examine the balcony for gaps in the wall, ceiling, eaves, overhangs, and other structures. Bees can enter and create their nest through a hole as small as 1/3 cm (1/8 inch). Caulk, silicone, a metal screen, or expanding foam can be used to fill any gaps you detect.

If you previously had a beehive on your balcony, ensure it is entirely removed. Even a small piece of an old hive will attract new bees to the area. If you have any traces of previous hives, hire a professional to remove them and thoroughly clean the area.

2. Keep your yard well-watered.

Watering your lawn is one of the simplest home cures for bees if you have bees that build their eggs in the ground. You have ground bees if you notice small holes in your garden’s dry regions.

These bees are solitary, as opposed to hive populations. A female mates with a man before burrowing into the ground to lay her eggs and hatch her larva.

The good news is that ground bees are rather calm compared to other bees. However, if you are allergic to bee stings, it is best to be cautious and drive them away.

Ground bees enjoy dry dirt because it allows them to burrow readily. If your yard has an infestation, it suggests it needs more water and vegetation.

Watering your lawn once or twice a day makes the environment unsuitable for ground bees. Moist soil has the potential to bury the larva and serve as a breeding environment for germs and fungi.

Plants are also encouraged to grow as a result of it. Bees find it difficult to burrow in with the additional ground cover.

3. Food and beverages should be kept covered or indoors

Unprotected, sticky drinks multiply your chances of being stung tenfold. Soda cans, particularly, have a reputation for hosting these sly intruders. Always pour liquids into a cup with a cover and store food in containers. Plastic wrap and aluminum foil may be safe solutions, but they are not.

Serving foods indoors merely reduces the odors that attract bees. Furthermore, you are less likely to deal with spills and crumbs before the intruders discover them. Choose lidded glasses and discard food as soon as your meal is finished.

4. Pay attention to the flowers around your patio deck

The first step is to look at the flowers growing near your patio deck. Certain flowers and plants will attract a greater number of bees than usual.

It may not be easy to feel compelled to clear flowers from the area, but planting flowers away from your patio or deck may be the best option. Plants with appealing scents placed too close to your patio or deck will produce a swarm of bees.

If your patio deck appears to be a hotspot of bee activity, it is most likely owing to the flowers you have around. However, you can switch things up by transplanting these flowers to a different location in your yard when you are able.

Of course, certain flowers may not respond well to being moved, and you may need to search up particular instructions for transplanting specific plants or flowers. Remember that if you have attractive-smelling flowers near your patio deck, your bee problems will not go away.

Popular flowers that attract bees

• Lavender
• Aster
• Sunflowers
• Black-eyed Susans
• Coneflowers
• Beebalm
• Zinnia
• Solidago
• Cosmos
• Milkweed
• Lilacs
• Stonecrop
• Phlox
• Daisies
• Anise hyssop
• Dahlias
• Sumac
• Nasturtiums (garden variety)
• Goldenrod
• Borage
• California poppies
• Lupine
• Pansies
• Peonies

5. Think of planting peppermint

Planting peppermint nearby is a great way to keep bees away from the area you want to use. Bees dislike the aroma of peppermint and will most likely avoid it.

The bees in the region will find peppermint repulsive, even though it should be rather pleasant to you. Therefore, if you want to plant peppermint, they will begin to migrate away from the region, which is why you should do so as soon as possible.

Make it a practice to grow peppermint near any place in your yard where you want to keep bees away. You may want to avoid doing this near other flowers because flowers often rely on bees for pollination, but that doesn’t mean peppermint can’t be useful in a focused capacity.

Use peppermint wisely so that you may enjoy your time outside without being bothered by bees. Anyone allergic to bees or is afraid of bees may find peppermint a useful tool in their arsenal.

Many people who use peppermint as a deterrent continue to plant peppermint. It works great and should be explored immediately if you are looking for practical solutions to your bee problems.

6. Plant citronella

Citronella should be grown in strategically placed pots. The strong odor of this herb will keep bees away. However, ensure the soil is well-drained so the plant grows properly.

If you don’t want to put pots on your balcony, you might use citronella candles, which are just as good at keeping bees away. The Repel Insect Repellent Citronella Candle is an excellent choice for the job.

7. Cinnamon can also deter bees

If you don’t want to plant peppermint, you can get similar results by scattering cinnamon over your patio deck. Cinnamon is also one thing that bees dislike, and they will want to avoid places where cinnamon is present.

You can get ground cinnamon at any grocery shop, and if you have enough, it will be easy to sprinkle it around the area sparingly. However, try to be as thorough as possible while sprinkling the cinnamon to keep the bees at bay.

This fantastic method should keep bees away from the region for a time. But, of course, the cinnamon will wash away with time, and you will need to sprinkle more cinnamon to maintain the desired results.

The good news is that cinnamon is affordable, and you’ll be able to buy a lot of it to serve as a bee repellent. Overall, this is a good quick fix for any bee problems you may be having on or near your patio deck.

8. Crushed garlic is effective as well

It’s also worth noting that crushed garlic, like cinnamon, has a similar effect. Ground garlic is just as ubiquitous as cinnamon, and you can get some right now from your local grocer if you want to.

The main concept is to scatter crushed garlic strategically near your patio deck. This will warn bees to stay away, and they will want to get as far away from your patio deck area as possible.

Spreading crushed garlic along the edge of the patio deck is a good idea, but you may also place some directly on the deck for safety. But, again, this is something you can do fast, and it shouldn’t need you to go out of your way to accomplish it.

Anyone looking for a quick remedy to a bee problem near a patio deck may appreciate the use of crushed garlic or cinnamon. Both ways work flawlessly, and you may use either without spending a fortune.

9. Other natural bee repellents

Cucumber peels

Arrange cucumber peels along the perimeter of your balcony, along the walls, or on the soil in your pots. The acidic acidity of these peels repels bees.

Spicy peppers

Chop a spicy pepper, such as jalapeño, and boil in water before straining. Fill a spray bottle halfway with the liquid and spray it about the balcony. Peppers have chemicals that act as a repellant to bees.

Black pepper

The majority of bees are quite sensitive to this product. They are quickly killed when they come into contact with the black pepper powder. This product is easily accessible from your kitchen. This implies you won’t have to spend much money to have this excellent bee elimination remedy.

You must use your protective gloves when spraying this powder. This is critical because some bees will assault you during the treatment. Because it is safe for human consumption, this product is recommended for most households. There are no significant negative side effects associated with this product.

Baby powder

Finally, while not all types of baby powder are fully natural, organic baby powder is an effective strategy to keep bees at bay. Sprinkle it in any spots you consider essential, and you’re done! Bees should be exterminated!

10. Use oils

Most bees will leave if they smell strong oils like cedarwood, clove, eucalyptus, or citronella. To get the bees to go, place items with these strong oil odors on the porch or near a beehive.

Perhaps bees are more drawn to your skin than your home or garden. Vanilla extract is excellent for keeping bees away from your skin. Likewise, a spoonful of vanilla extract mixed with water can keep bees away from you, even if you live in a bee-infested area.

Baby oil will also work if you don’t like vanilla since bees are repelled by baby oil. To spritz around the house, combine the oil and water in a spray bottle. You can also apply these oils to your skin to prevent bee stings when mowing the lawn or removing bee nests.

Almond oil

This basic strategy should be considered when seeking the finest home cures for killing wasps. Almond oil is an excellent substance for fast-killing bees and wasps. This oil should be applied to the bee hive right away. When it comes into contact with some bees, most of them are instantly killed.

You should use this effective home remedy for bee removal regularly. During the day, you can apply this oil to the bee hive. This tip will assist you in avoiding some bee attacks. In addition, you can add this oil to the hive when most bees are outside their nests.

11. Does vinegar keep bees away?

Yes, vinegar can be used to keep bees from buzzing around your porch and disrupting your quiet. Consider preparing a solution of white distilled vinegar and garlic that has been soaked in oil for a few days and spritzing it over your porch if you notice bees. You may quickly get rid of bees by combining vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spritzing the bee’s nest and other areas where bees congregate. Prepare to remove any fallen bees that die as a result of this. It makes no difference whether you use apple cider or white vinegar; both are equally effective.

12. Line the patio deck with dryer sheets

Interestingly, using dryer sheets can also scare bees away from the area. Of course, most people buy dryer sheets to make their clothes smell lovely, but these handy household items can also be used to keep bees away.

Dryer sheets have scents and other ingredients that bees dislike. It’s a great method to make your patio deck smell and solve your bee problem.

Choose dryer sheets that aren’t too pricey so that you may keep things as cheap as feasible. It’s even better if you can find dryer sheet scents that you like so that it doesn’t keep you from sitting outside on your patio deck.

Many families have employed the dryer sheet tip to host entertaining summer activities on their patio decks. If you want to use your outdoor spaces without worrying about swarms of bees, dryer sheets will come in handy.

13. Take caution when wearing certain perfumes

It’s worth noting that some scents can be particularly appealing to bees. Have you ever observed that you appear to attract more bees than your friends or family?

This could be because you are wearing a smell that attracts bees. For example, when planning to spend time on your patio deck, you might want to avoid wearing perfume.

Yes, using your favorite scents is inconvenient, but you also don’t want to be stung by bees. So first, consider whether your scent is attracting bees outside.

If you’re wondering if your perfume is attracting bees, you should be able to look at the ingredients. However, if you can’t obtain that information, it’s preferable to err on the side of caution just for your summer patio deck enjoyment.

14. Wear dark clothing

When you plan to sit outside, dress in darker colors and avoid yellows and whites. Most flowers are yellow and white, and bees are drawn to these brilliant colors. Bees may mistake you for a flower if you wear apparel that resembles their appearance.

15. Swimming pools and bees

Pools are seen by bees in the same way that humans do—as a delightful body of water to cool off in on hot summer days—but they also use pool water to hydrate their offspring and manage hive temperatures. Such ideal conditions will attract swarms of bees by the dozen.

Pool treatments are costly, and the last thing you want to do is service the local bee population. However, the truth is that these very substances entice them! Bees perceive saltwater and chlorinated pools as delicious, enticing bodies of water. Therefore, pool owners can take the following additional precautions, in addition to the ones stated above, to avoid sharing their pool with unwanted swimmers.

Jets

Because bees are poor swimmers, homeowners should take advantage of this flaw. Turbulent water indicates danger, discouraging bees from landing. Turning on the pool jets will cause ripples in the water’s surface, prompting a bee to flee.

Mothballs

This isn’t only for pool owners, but because mothballs have an awful odor, they’re unlikely to be a preferred repellant option. So instead, Mothballs should be placed in a beautiful fabric bag or pantyhose and hung near the pool. This will be an efficient bee repellent, and the compounds in the water will conceal the aroma for people.

16. Non-natural ways to get rid of bees

Hanging zappers

Many homeowners have successfully eliminated bees from their yards by hanging bug zappers, particularly those using lures (sweet scents).

The bees will be drawn to the zapper and electrocuted when they come into touch with the grid.

Install a bug zapper that is powered by electricity.

A bug zapper is your best chance to get rid of bees in the house without using poisons. This is because the ultraviolet rays emitted by an electric bug zapper attract insects.

When they fly too close to the grid and make contact with it, they are electrocuted with a quick “zap” sound. The dead insects fall to the ground or the base, making cleanup simple.

The PestNot Bug Zapper is efficient against many insects, including bees. It emits 2000 volts of electricity, which quickly kills bees. However, even with this high voltage, it is remarkably energy-efficient.

Because of its waterproof head, it may be used during the wet season. It resembles a lamp emitting blue light that attracts insects within a one-acre radius.

Simply connect it into a socket near where you hear bees buzzing and hang it on a hook. You may need to utilize an extension cord if the nest is far away. This works best at night in proximity to the beehive. Then, check on it regularly to clean out the dead bees.

Make use of an ultrasonic pest deterrent.

Intriguing fact: Bees do not have ears. Instead of hearing sounds, they feel them via specialized organs on their antenna and legs. These detect air vibrations, which bees use to communicate.

The Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller is a bee nest elimination device that takes advantage of bees’ acoustic sensitivity. This produces sound in three modes: bionic, electromagnetic, and ultrasonic waves.

The first two are imperceptible to the human ear, making it a non-intrusive way of removing honey bees. The third setting, which is audible to humans, is best for strong infestations.

It’s worth noting that certain pets can hear the frequency, so keep an eye out for their behavior when you turn it on. This method may be suitable for individuals who desire a non-toxic honey bee repellant that does not require maintenance and is simple.

So, how does this ultrasonic device repel bees? Put it into a socket 20-100cm above the floor and within 1200 square feet of the beehive, and you’re ready to go.

If you have an indoor bee infestation, you will need one for each room because the sound does not penetrate past walls or impediments. You’ll have no trouble if it’s outside.

Use of D-Force HPX

If you’d rather employ a pesticide, D-Force HPX can be used to get rid of ground bees in your yard.

D-Force is a pressurized container of pesticide. Deltamethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid, is its active constituent. It targets the neurological system of the bee, paralyzing it. The bee eventually dies.

The beautiful thing about D-Force is that you can target a specific area rather than spray your entire yard. The spray can be sprayed directly on the nest or the bees.
When spraying insecticides near or at a nest, always wear protective clothing.

D-Force will protect you for 8 weeks and can be used indoors and outdoors. Simply keep children and dogs away from the treated area.

If you do not wish to use D-Force, you can use any bee insecticide labeled for bee use. When spraying any form of insecticide, make sure to follow the guidelines precisely and to take measures by wearing protective clothing.

Boric acid

Boric acid is another suggested product that you can use right now. This solution contains powerful chemicals that can quickly remove wasps and bees. Boric acid is often sold as a powder. Unfortunately, most insects, including bees, are highly poisonous to this acid.

You can purchase this acid from a chemical store if you are looking for the best home cures for killing bees and wasps right away. However, when this substance is placed into the bee hive, it can instantly kill the whole population in your garden.

17. Remove beehives

If your patio deck appears to be overwhelmed with bees, you likely have a beehive nearby. You may have a beehive on your terrace, but it could also be hidden somewhere close in an inconspicuous spot.

Most common places you’ll find nests include:

• Under a deck or porch
• Along fences
• Sheds
• Old birdhouses
• Trees
• Unused playgrounds
• Trash cans
• Rock crevices
• Tall grass (ground nests)

Finding the beehive and eradicating it from the area should help you return to normalcy. The only problem with this is that removing a beehive might be risky.

Bees will attack you if they feel threatened, and being stung by a bee can be excruciatingly painful. This is why many people choose to use bee-killing sprays that kill beehives from a safe distance.

You can also spray the beehive and sit back and wait for the chemicals to do their thing. Once the bees have died, the hive can be removed so no bees can return to it.

If you are uncomfortable doing this, you can hire a professional to complete the task quickly. Exterminators may remove beehives for you and deal with more serious issues such as wasp nests.

Just keep in mind that bees are good for the environment. Therefore, killing bees should normally be a last resort. However, it might be an issue when you have far too many bees on your property.

People allergic to bees may want to get rid of them for their protection. However, it is entirely up to you to choose what you should do in your yard so that you can relax on your patio deck without worry.

Exterminators can remove the bees using different methods, but you can specify what you want. Again, hiring professionals will be the best option for eliminating beehives and dealing with bee problems for extended periods.

When to consult a professional

If you are allergic to bees or the hive is in a difficult location, it may be safer to call in an expert, preferably a beekeeper, who will remove the bees without killing them and also remove the hive. Some exterminators employ poison, while others do not remove the hive.

Contact a beekeeper

Honey bee populations are declining, so hiring a beekeeper to remove the bees without killing or injuring them carefully is a wise choice.

Beekeepers will often remove both the nest and the bees. Some will offer their services free, while others may ask for a fee. If the nest is very simple to dismantle, the beekeeper may even pay you.

Typically, beekeepers remove honeycombs while the brood is still within. Then, the honeycombs are arranged in frames before moving to a hive box.

If the nest is difficult to access, a vacuum can be used to extract the bees without harming them.

Contact an exterminator

You can hire a local exterminator if you don’t mind which measures are utilized to get rid of the bees. However, you may also have difficulty locating a beekeeper willing or able to remove the nest from your property.

Exterminators will almost certainly use methods that kill the bees, so make your option carefully.

Pesticides will certainly be employed to kill the bees, and given the inherent risk and complexity of removing nests, professional eradication will almost certainly be more expensive.

The initial treatment will kill bees near the nest’s surface. However, the exterminator will likely need to return multiple times before the bees are destroyed because new pupa will develop in a few days.

Keep in mind that exterminators often only kill bees and will not remove the colony or the dead bees.

If you hire an exterminator, ensure that all the dead bees and the nest are removed. Also, remember that decomposing honey will generate a terrible odor if any traces of honeycomb are left behind.
Handle dead bees and the nest cautiously because they have both been treated with insecticides.

Do It Yourself, bee catcher.

There are various varieties of bee catchers on the market. However, you may create one at home using the following materials:

• Maple syrup
• 2-liter soda bottle
• Water
• Scissors

Follow these steps to make your bee catcher:

1. At the bottom of the slope, cut the soda bottle head.
2. Replace the head of the bottle in an upside-down position.
3. Combine a small amount of maple syrup with water and pour just enough to cover the bottom of the bottle.

This should aid in forming a funnel-like entrance through which the bees can enter the bottle or “trap” but cannot escape until you want them to.

Because there is very little liquid within your homemade bee catcher, the bees are just confined and do not die. This means you can release them later, at a safe distance from your home. This bee trap is environmentally friendly to the “bee problem.”

Last thoughts

You now know a lot more about what you can do to get rid of bees or keep them away from your patio deck. There are several great options to explore, and many will only require a bit of effort.

Those searching for immediate results may want to head to the grocery shop and buy some cinnamon or crushed garlic. Both of these bee deterrent methods work well, and they are not expensive to buy.

Peppermint grows well and should keep bees away from your patio deck. However, it requires a little more effort and time than sprinkling crushed garlic or cinnamon over the area.

You can also opt to perform specific actions, such as removing bee-attracting flowers from the area. If you don’t want to do this, growing some peppermint nearby may keep the bees away.

Finally, hiring exterminators will be the most effective method to eliminate bees and their colonies. It is up to you to choose whether things need to be escalated to that level.

Bees are extremely valuable to the environment, and it is important to recognize their roles in nature. However, people acknowledge that bees can be dangerous to have around, especially if they are allergic to them.

It will be easier to bring in the pros for safety reasons if you need to get rid of the bees near your patio deck. It is easy to buy bee-killing sprays, but using them and removing beehives may put you at risk.

Those who want to avoid being stung are usually better off calling in the pros. Take the time to review the facts you’ve learned and decide what you should do based on your preferences.

Hopefully, you now have a much better understanding of what you can do to stop bees. Then, you’ll be able to use your patio deck all through summer and spring.

Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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