Bees play a crucial role in the environment, but sometimes they can become a nuisance in your backyard. Discover how to control bees in your backyard with our comprehensive DIY tips that balance safety with environmental responsibility.
As you make your backyard more enjoyable, you might also want to create a modern backyard or install a sink in your backyard. Dive deep into our articles to find the perfect solutions for your outdoor space.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Plant bee-repelling plants such as mint, eucalyptus, and citronella |
| Use essential oils like peppermint and clove to repel bees |
| Place decoys like fake wasp nests and predatory insect houses in your backyard |
| Use physical barriers like screens and netting to keep bees away from outdoor activities |
| Consider relocating bee colonies with the help of a professional beekeeper |
Trimming Plants
The first step in keeping bees away from your backyard is to make it less attractive for them. Trim back any plants that are flowering and replace dead flowers with new ones, especially ones that will last a few weeks or more.
Keep an eye out for weeds weeds provide a lot of pollen and nectar for bees to feed on, so getting rid of them will help prevent the insects from hanging around your yard as much.
Finally, remove any trees or shrubs that attract bees (such as fruit trees).
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Remove Old Woodpiles
If you have an old woodpile in the backyard, it might be a good idea to consider removing it. This can help reduce the number of places for bees to nest and may also make it easier for you to get rid of them.
Woodpiles can also be dangerous because they are a fire hazard, so removing this old woodpile would be helpful in that regard as well.
Also, if you’re not going to use the wood for any other projects before winter comes along and freezes it into uselessness (and no one needs that much firewood), then why not remove it now? You never know when you might need something else somewhere down the line!
Eliminate Standing Water
Water is a bee’s favorite place to hang out, so if you have a garden, remove any standing water from your flower beds and containers.
Bees are attracted to flowers because they are looking for water, so keep your plants healthy and cut back on their thirst by making sure there’s no stagnant pools where bees could drown.
If your backyard pond has become overgrown with algae and weeds, consider cleaning it out or hiring a professional to do the job for you.
Not only will this make it more enjoyable for us humans who want to use our swimming holes again (and again), but it will also ensure that bees don’t get sick from standing in dirty water or drinking polluted liquids while they sip nectar from nearby blooms.
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Avoid Plants That Bees Love
- Avoid plants that bees love. Bees are attracted to the scent of many plants, but some flowers and herbs attract them more than others. Some of these include:
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Plant bee-friendly flowers. There are certain plants that bees don’t mind as much as others — they may still be attracted to them, but not as strongly as they would be to a plant like lavender. These include:
- Sunflowers (a favorite for their nectar) and their variations (such as “Black Beauty” sunflower)
Use Traps
If you want to remove bees from your backyard, consider using traps. Here’s how:
Create a trap using a jar with a hole in the lid, some honey and water. Place the jar in a sunny spot, then add some paper on top of it so that bees can land on it and crawl inside to drink the liquid.
Once you see bees drinking from your trap, release them into the wild by opening up its lid slightly and gently removing them with tweezers or another tool (be sure not to squash them).
Use Pesticides
Pesticides are not always effective, and they can harm bees and other insects. They can harm you too: if you’re spraying pesticides around your house and yard, it’s likely that some of the chemicals will end up in your food or in the air that you breathe.
Pesticides can also harm the environment. For example, pesticides might seep into nearby lakes or streams and create a toxic environment for fish or other animals who live there.
| Natural Repellent | How to Use |
|---|---|
| Citronella oil | Mix with water and spray on bee-prone areas |
| Peppermint oil | Add a few drops to cotton balls and place in problem areas |
| Cinnamon powder | Sprinkle around problem areas and nests |
| Vinegar | Mix with water and spray on bee-prone areas |
| Garlic | Place garlic cloves around problem areas |
Call An Exterminator
If you are trying to control bees in your backyard and do not know how, call an exterminator. Exterminators will help you find the source of the bee problem and work on it with different methods.
They can also help control other pests such as spiders, mosquitos and ants so you no longer have to worry about them at home or on a vacation.
These professionals are trained specifically for this job because it requires special skills in order to get rid of every insect without harming yourself or others around you.
If you have any questions about our service please feel free to reach out! We’d love nothing more than helping out those who need extra guidance when it comes down t controlling these flying creatures
Attracting bees to your backyard can be beneficial for pollination, but which fruits are best to grow? Check out our list of 11 best fruits to grow in your backyard to create a bee-friendly environment and enjoy fresh produce at the same time.
Make Fake Hives
If you have more than one hive, you can move one of them. The whole point of a beehive is to keep the bees safe and warm, so if they don’t think their home is safe anymore, they’ll leave for somewhere else.
To make a fake hive:
First, take some cardboard (or styrofoam) and draw hexagons on it with a pencil. Then cut out the hexagons and glue them together into a box shape.
Put the fake hive somewhere where you want the bees to go like a tree or under your porch or in your garden if you want them there specifically (i.e., away from swimming pools).
You can also put it in an area that’s already been disturbed by weather so that any new presence doesn’t stick out as much—that way when it rains or snows again no one will notice!
| Bee Species | Appearance | Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Honeybees | Golden-yellow and fuzzy | Non-aggressive, important pollinators |
| Bumblebees | Large, furry | Non-aggressive, important pollinators |
| Carpenter bees | Large and black | Can cause damage to wood structures |
| Sweat bees | Small and metallic | Attracted to sweat and nectar |
| Mason bees | Small and dark-colored | Excellent pollinators, non-aggressive |
| Leafcutter bees | Small and black | Use leaves to build nests |
Create A Barrier Between The Hive And Your House
To keep bees away from your house, you’ll need to create a barrier between the hive and your home.
This can be as simple as a fence or wall, but it should be tall enough to prevent the bees from flying over it and strong enough to withstand their constant buzzing.
The stronger your barrier is, the better—and bees are persistent enough that they will try again if they don’t succeed at first.
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Relocate Bees, Instead Of Killing Them!
Another option for controlling bees is to simply relocate them. If you find bees on your property, and don’t want them there, you can help guide them away from your home.
If you know where their hive is, pick up an empty bag of sugar and walk around the area where they are flying around before returning to their nest.
The sugar will attract other insects who also feed off of it, including bees! As soon as enough insects have gathered in one spot, use the bag to scoop them up and relocate them somewhere else far away from where they were originally found.
This method works best if there aren’t too many bees; otherwise it could cause a panic among those left behind which could result in further harm being done by other people trying to get rid of these pests!
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Placing Fake Owls Or Snakes Around Your Yard To Scare Them Away
There are a few ways to scare away bees, but one of the best is by using fake owls and snakes in your yard.
You can also purchase motion-sensing sprinklers that will startle the bee when they come near them, which will scare them into flying away from your house and yard.
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Conclusion
There are plenty of ways to keep bees away from your backyard! It’s important to remember that bees are good for the environment and you should try not to harm them unless it’s absolutely necessary.
If you do need to use pesticides or other more aggressive methods, make sure they’re only applied at night when bees aren’t around so that they don’t get sprayed too.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources related to backyard maintenance, gardening, and landscaping:
What fruits can you grow in your backyard? 11 best: This article provides information on the best fruits to grow in your backyard, including berries, stone fruits, and citrus fruits.
How do I build a cheap backyard fence? Easy tips: This article provides tips and advice on how to build a backyard fence on a budget.
How do I make an herb garden in my backyard? Explained: This article provides step-by-step instructions on how to create an herb garden in your backyard.
How do I start landscaping my backyard?: This article provides tips and advice on how to get started with backyard landscaping, including planning, design, and implementation.
How to keep bees away from pool: This article provides tips on how to keep bees away from your pool area.
How to get rid of bees: This article provides information on how to safely and effectively remove bees from your property.
FAQs
Are backyard chickens safe to eat?
Yes, backyard chickens are safe to eat as long as they are raised and prepared properly. It is important to maintain good hygiene practices when handling chickens and their eggs to avoid foodborne illnesses.
How do I keep bees away from my backyard?
To keep bees away from your backyard, you can use natural bee repellents like peppermint oil or cinnamon powder. You can also remove potential bee habitats like stagnant water or overgrown vegetation.
What are some alternatives to grass for backyard landscaping?
Some alternatives to grass for backyard landscaping include gravel, mulch, rocks, ground covers, and synthetic turf. These alternatives can be more low-maintenance and eco-friendly than traditional grass lawns.
How can I make my backyard more private?
To make your backyard more private, you can add fencing, plant hedges or trees, or use outdoor curtains or screens. You can also create outdoor living areas that are secluded from neighbors’ views.
How do I get rid of bees?
To get rid of bees, it is best to contact a professional bee removal service. However, if you prefer to remove bees on your own, you can try using a natural bee repellent or setting up a trap to catch them. It is important to wear protective clothing and exercise caution when dealing with bees.
For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.