Dealing with killer bees can be dangerous and traumatic. There was a bee sting record of 350 victims between 2017 and 2018 in the United States.
These killer bees are nothing like European honeybees that rarely sting people. They are more lethal and difficult to handle, and some who mistakenly bump into them don’t live to tell the story.
Keeping them away will involve more than repellants or shooting them out. So, what do you do to keep them away effectively?
We will discuss that in detail here.
Killer bees are one of the dangerous stinging bee species you can’t afford a space in your home. Leave their name; they are not difficult to keep away with the right strategies.
If you notice their activity around your space, here are some deterrent strategies you can apply against them:
- Apply vinegar in and around the bee-infested area.
- Spray bee-deterring insecticides.
- Apply cinnamon and garlic powder.
Above are three bee-deterring strategies we know work. We discuss these and five more ideas in the guide.
The next few headings will discuss eight practical strategies we know works in deterring killer bees. Stealthily read through and apply to keep the notorious pests at bay.
8 Ways To Keep Killer Bees Away
There are several ways to keep killer bees at bay. You would need to employ expert services, amongst other things, for the best results.
If the infestation increases, you may want to move from the infested area to apply more effective/harsh deterrent measures.
Let’s cut to the chase. How do you keep these villains away?
Below are eight practical strategies you can deploy:
1. Contact an Expert
As mentioned earlier, killer bees are not your regular critters. To keep them away, it may help to contact an expert or pest control agency first.
You can move your family if you are in Southern California or Southern Florida, where these bees are more common.
If you suspect the presence of killer bees, contact the agency immediately. Most of these agencies have free offers for inspections.
They would also discuss how best to handle the killer bees in your home.
2. Cover Up Cracks and Holes
Even if you don’t suspect the presence of killer bees around you, you can carry out checks often. Check every edge and corner to ensure no holes or cracks in the ceiling or walls.
Killer bees can slowly creep into your compound and look for a good place to build a nest/hive. They can move on in your abandoned vehicle, a broken ceiling, or an enclosed area.
When looking out for cracks and holes, check any abandoned cracks or areas that have been around. Also, check your backyard and places that haven’t been used in a while, like your garage or basement.
You can install a wire mesh around the open areas when you are sure there are no bees. You can also cover up the cracks and holes with caulk and wood.
Besides these, you can call an expert to change all the old furniture and give your home a do-over.
3. Plant Bee-Repelling Herbs
This is another good bee-deterring strategy you can add to your arsenal to war against them.
But since bees are attracted to colorful flowers and flowers with good scents, you want to ensure you’re not planting what will attract them. Be sure of whatever repellant you plant around the house so you won’t shoot yourself in the bag.
To deter killer bees, you can use neem, eucalyptus, clove, mint, and citronella. They hate these plants so much and won’t come near them.
Marigolds, cucumber, and lemongrass are good plants that deter killer bees. You can plant them around your front porch or backyard.
4. Clear Grasses and Debris
Leaving piles of debris around isn’t a great idea if you are trying to keep killer bees off.
The bees can take advantage of the litter and build nests or attach themselves.
You can also empty the trash often or have a dumpster that you will always cover.
Poor garbage control and littered trash cans can become good spots for beds.
5. Use Cinnamon/Garlic Powder
Cinnamon and garlic are effective repellants against killer bees. You can sprinkle them around the beehives to weaken and disarm them.
This method of repelling them would mean you would need to get close to the bees, which is quite risky.
So, what do you do in this case? Ensure you cover up thoroughly to avoid attack since bees are very defensive of their colonies.
You can use a white-colored material and ensure that your face and neck are correctly closed.
If you are scared to approach the bees, you should keep off and contact an expert.
6. Apply Vinegar
Killer bees hate the smell of vinegar because it makes them choke.
Applying vinegar is a great way to keep them away and is easy to use.
Mix vinegar and water in the same proportion and sprinkle on their hives.
You may expect them to attack you, but the vinegar smell will suffocate and slow them down.
Remember to take precautionary measures like covering up before embarking on such activity.
7. Use a Bug Zapper
Bug zappers are popular these days because they are effective. They are electronic equipment that zaps (electrocute) insects that contact them.
After installing and connecting the zapper to a power source, you can switch it on.
It usually emits a bright ultraviolet light that attracts the insects and eliminates them afterward.
8. Spray Insecticides
Insecticides here do not mean pesticides. Using pesticides may be toxic to neighboring animals, and their owners may not take it lightly. Using pesticides may also kill other bees that produce honey and affect output.
Insecticides are effective against killer bees. You can spray them on the hives or cracks where they hide. These insecticides are mild compared to pesticides.
You can also make a DIY insecticide using detergent and water. Killer bees and soap are enemies. Although soap is also toxic, it is not as harsh as pesticides.
To prepare a homemade insecticide, mix soap, and water. Afterward, spray the solution on the killer bees’ hives. Remember to cover up and ensure you are close enough to reach them so they won’t attack you first.
There are insecticides in powdered form that you could use to keep bees away. You can check at a pest control store or grocery for them and get them at affordable prices.
Conclusion
One way to keep the Africanized killer bees away is by setting local traps. If you would be too scared to, then it is best to let them be while you contact an expert.
There is a lot of emphasis on leaving the killer bees to an expert because of the tragic stories of stings. Does it mean that there is nothing you can do? Of course not!
You can bump into a killer bee when hiking or exploring the woods, and it may be too late to reach out to an expert. The best you can do at that point is back off slowly and then run as fast as you can to a closed area.
However, the eight strategies above will overcome these bees in other cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Attracts Killer Bees?
Killer bees are attracted to good-smelling flowers, nectar, and fruity perfumes. For colors, killer bees see black colors as threats and red as black. So, sticking to white or tan colors is better.
Also, the carbon dioxide you exhale attracts killer bees, so avoid getting close.
Can I Repel Bees With Lights?
No, you can’t. Bees have a thing for lights and will move in their direction. You can use bright lights to lure bees, but ensure you trap them immediately, or they may launch an attack.
