Bees are a critical part of our ecosystem. They are responsible for pollinating many of the plants we rely on for food, medicine, and other resources.
Without them, we will not have the abundance of food and other resources that we have today, which makes them an integral part of the environment.
But it can’t be ignored that bees are annoying and can cause many issues when they come into contact with humans, including stings and allergic reactions.
Bees can also damage crops and spread disease if not managed properly.
But today, the population of bees is declining due to human interference. So, understanding how to eliminate bees without killing them is essential.
In this article, we will explore ways to keep bees away from the windows of our homes without harming them. These include:
- Cucumber peel
- Peppermint oil
- Cinnamon
- Crushed garlic
- Vanilla
So, let’s dig right in and find out how you can keep bees away from the openings in your house.
7 Effective Ways To Keep Bees Away
Let’s look at all the options in detail, which can help you pave out a plan of action to keep bees away from your windows:
1. Cucumber Peel
This popular vegetable is an excellent addition to summer salads and deters wasps and bees.
The acidic cucumber peels have a harsh flavor that keeps bees and wasps. Bees can be effectively kept out of certain areas by using cucumber peel.
For instance, if you open your windows and doors to let the air inside, most of the time, it also opens up your house to bees.
So, to deal with this issue, you can place pieces of cucumber peel on or near your window frames to deter them. This is effective in garden areas where you want something other than bees.
2. Peppermint Oil
Wasps and bees can be naturally repelled by peppermint oil.
The other option is to use a blend of clove, lemongrass, and geranium to get rid of bees naturally.
To effectively use peppermint oil, combine a few drops with water and a small dish soap. Then add this to a spray bottle. Once done, use it to spray the exterior of your property (under eaves, porch roofs, and other ledges and cracks) where bees are prone to form nests.
Bees generally like to stay away from peppermint-scented regions and plants. So, if you have peppermint plants outdoors or nearby, they will most likely avoid the plant and, therefore, your house.
It’s a win-win situation since you won’t have to put up with the buzzing, and after the plants are grown, you will have delicious peppermint for yourself.
3. Cinnamon
A great approach to lure away bees from a location is to spread cinnamon in powdered form.
It has a strong, pungent smell that the bees don’t particularly like. You must do it daily for at least a week for a long-lasting effect.
Another way of using cinnamon to keep bees away is mixing cinnamon with some water and spraying it around areas where you don’t want bees to congregate.
4. Crushed Garlic
A fun fact is that the smell of garlic repulses bees. You can create an effective bee repellent by chopping garlic and soaking it in water for a few days. Spray it around your plants or in areas where bees are frequently seen.
An easier way to use garlic as a bee repellent is to sprinkle some garlic powder around the areas they often swarm around. This will keep bees away.
5. Vanilla Mixture
Mixing vanilla essence with water and spraying it near your windows will also help keep bees away.
Vanilla has a powerful smell which is quite pleasant for us, but bees find it irritating.
This method is also helpful to keep bees away while making your house smell pleasant.
6. Baby Powder
Although not all types of baby powder are entirely natural and safe to use around bees, look for specific organic baby powder options to keep bees at bay without causing harm.
So, scatter it anywhere you think is required, and the bees will stay away.
7. Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
Theoretically, ultrasonic pest repellers are electrically powdered devices that generate sound waves beyond the range of human hearing.
They plug into an electrical socket. Manufacturers’ specific frequencies can vary. However, most are greater than 20,000 Hz.
This plug-in device uses ultrasonic and electromagnetic waves to ward off any insects, including bees that have built nests within your house or nearby.
Summary
Bees are essential for the environment. They are a part of the biodiversity on which we depend for survival. So, we must opt for non-brutal ways to repel them from our living spaces.
You can use cucumber peel, peppermint oil, cinnamon, crushed garlic, vanilla, baby powder, or an ultrasonic pest repeller to eliminate bees.
Understanding that highly reactive chemical repellents may get the job done faster is essential. But, they are unsuitable for the bees or the environment in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Plants or Herbs That Repel Bees?
Along with these preventive measures, certain plants repel bees naturally. These include cucumber, basil, geraniums, wormwood, mint, eucalyptus, marigold, citronella, pennyroyal, and pitcher plant.
Do All Kinds of Bees Live in Nests?
Bee colonies are only home to honey and bumblebee species. Surprisingly, 98% of bee species live alone, without a queen or hive.
Why Are Bees Attracted Specifically to My Windows?
As they search for nesting places, queens are typically drawn to shaded areas. Bumble bees are attracted to inspect the window because it appears to lead into a shaded area from the outside.
They fly against the window in the process. Although these occurrences have never resulted in permanent damage, if the windows are open, they can invade your homes and form nests.
