Basil How to repel bees using plants 9. Bees can become a nuisance if they create a home in or around your house. The citronella plant releases an oil that is toxic to bees and other insects, and its strong scent masks the attractive floral fragrances that bees are drawn to. Bees are big fans of lilacs, honeysuckle, poppies, sunflowers, and black-eyed Susans. If you want to keep honeybees and bumblebees out of the yard or your house, burn citronella candles. Please consult a pest control professional before applying any tactics from pestpointers.com. Finally, the best way to repel bees is to give them their space. Some popular places to place the mint plant as a repellent: The plant does well in full sun or partial shade. In addition, you can add the juice from the fruit to a spray bottle and cover the area surrounding the bees. The strong scent of cinnamon is enough for any bee to turn its nose up and fly off. This website primarily references personal learning experiences. Lets go! These are toxic to . Citronella and Lemongrass. It does also help with other types of flies. If a swarm of bees finds its way into the interior of your home, they will do everything they can to build a nest. Bees will also have a hard time trying to get to the nectar of these plants, so this is a nice flowering plant that doesnt attract any additional flying pests. Bees are responsible for pollinating crops that produce some of the food we put on our plates at night. Eucalyptus is another easy-to-grow plant that has the ability to keep both bees and wasps away. A2020 studyshowed that using citronella to repel bees is not only effective but keeps the bees safe. Candles that contain citronella repel ants, mosquitoes, and flying bugs. There are many scents from natural elements that are bees that. You can use this trait to your advantage by utilizing scents that bees hate such as lemon and lime juice, citronella, cinnamon, peppermint, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, almond oil, smoke, and vinegar. Cinnamon. Thank you for sharing this article. The use of citronella as a bee repellent depends on the type being used. tb1234 Natural Bee Repellent Recipe 6 tablespoons witch hazel 5-10 drops peppermint oil . Repelling them is the most humane way of bee control. Instead, they will devour them! Smoke dazes and confuses bees, so they tend to get as far away from it as possible. This is detested by bees which makes them keep their distance from such areas. Citronella can be used in the form of candles, sprays, and body lotions or plants to drive away buzzing bees around. Its popularly used as an insect and animal repellent. If any of the plants or oils listed above do not work repelling your carpenter bee, honey bee, or bumble bee problem, you should contact a qualified pest control professional and find out if they have any natural repellent solutions. You can help keep bees out of your backyard by slicing up lemons or limes. If you are worried about bees entering your home and dont want a citronella plant inside your home, you can also use citronella candles. Its citrusy scent also repels wasps and mosquitoes. Vinegar is toxic to bees, so you want to ensure you mix the substance with water, so the spray isnt as potent. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Other than plants, you can use a bunch of other natural ways to keep bees out that I wrote about. These plants will not keep away the honeybees seeking the flowers nectar, but they will repel wasps. Shop Now 4 Quora User The oil can be sprayed around the surface or wiped on any spot the bees are building a hive. Any of the two options should be enough to solve the problem. Ive written about this topic before, but that was just a small list of bee-repelling plants. Its key advantage is that its totally harmless to the environment. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. The easiest and guaranteed answer to this question would be to not plant flowering plants. These plants are basically pear-shaped funnels which trap their prey- bees and wasps included. These sun-loving plants make a great addition to the garden, but, Read More 8 Common Animals That Love Your Strawberries (Repel Them! The repellents were blown into eight different killer bee colonies. The citronella plant is not only beautiful, but it also comes with a lovely citrusy-based scent. Citronella has long been considered a natural mosquito repellant, but just because it's natural doesn't mean it is safe. If youve recently had a bee problem, you will want to inspect the exterior of your home for any cracks or holes in the foundation. These are all topical defenses you can add to your skin to keep bees away. Bees do not enjoy the pungent smell of lemons and limes and will avoid it. So you need to decide. Ready to use a natural approach with plants for your wasp and bee problem? Another one of the scents that bees hate is almond oil, in particular bitter almond oil. Are there any plants that repel wasps? Now onto the good stuff. There are multiple ways a plant can act as a natural repellent: There are some plants that are backed by science. The goal is to smoke the bees out but not to agitate them enough that they attempt to swarm you. Remember that bees can be very beneficial to you and your garden, and they often dont attack humans unless they perceive you as a threat. Otherwise, youre better off just buying cucumber from the store and slicing it like a bee repellent. Others want to protect their pets, livestock, or kids. Thyme 7. You can use these when you are out in the crops or fields where there are large beehives. Can You Eat Green Tomatoes Raw? Or you just dont want your dog or kids to get stung. What is great about citronella is that it does not harm the bees or the environment. There are dozens of essential oils that you can use for this combination. The bees cannot see the color red, and they also contain little pollen for the bees to use for pollination. This method is especially suitable for people who face the challenges of big bees entering their homes. I started off with a nasty fly problem, and was very interested in finding ways to get rid of them without having to use harmful chemicals and pesticides. That said, you may simply want to know how to repel bees altogether - in which case you may be wondering, what smells do bees hate? If you plant some citronella, thyme, or eucalyptus (or all three!) . Is the wasps info Marigold is very hardy and will do well in direct sunlight with regular watering. Marigolds 7. Bees play an important role on this planet, so we must use alternatives to deadly pesticides. Generally, wasps will swarm in trees, roofs, and the ground. Required fields are marked *. Maybe youre trying to keep them out of your yard when you do gardening. Citrus oil is a natural repellent for many insects, including carpenter bees. Citronella has been found to provide relief from bees. Citronella does not repel bees in Florida. Smoke is a non-toxic solution that wont harm the bees but effectively scares them off! However, the unique fragrance can also repel wasps and bees. If you have a pest problem thats not covered here, feel free to contact me and let me know. Whether using its extracted essential oil or growing the citronella grass itself, the same repellent effect is achieved. beekeeper@americasbeekeeper.com. (Read This First! There are many ways in which bees can get into your house, however usually there are a few main entrances that they like to use! Being a versatile plant, citronella can be grown either outdoors, or indoors. Citrus citronella smell is not as effective on sweat bees and might take longer to repel them alone. 8. These are weirdly-shaped plants that seem to keep wasps and bees away. ), 12 Ways To Get Crows To Shut Up And Stop Cawing, 4 Colors That Birds Hate (And How To Use Them), 7 Ways Wasps Got Into Your House (And How To Get Them Out), Heres Why Ants Are In Your Room (Even If Theres No Food). You only need to move or relocate such plants to areas where bees nest around. Alarm pheromone perception in honey bees is decreased by smoke (Hymenoptera: Apidae).Journal of Insect Behavior8.1 (1995): 11-18. Drastic in this sense has nothing to do with exterminating them. (Answered), Can You Use Chalk Paint on Outdoor Furniture? Disclaimer: Always consult with a qualified professional exterminator prior to beginning any pest control plan. The answer is yes! All you need to do is sprinkle cinnamon in all areas where you have seen evidence of bees. 2. Finally, you can also plant peppermint in your yard to protect bees. Now, bees are known to offer a wide range of benefits. Massage Oil and Cream Citronella oil can also be added to massage oil and cream that can be applied to your skin. You can read more about the main wasp and bee differences here. Other affected pests include mosquitoes and wasps. Theres always a tradeoff. You should start the smoke as close to the hive as possible. Get Rid of Bees On Your Deck & In Your Yard, Pest Ideas provides a platform that allows consumers to submit requests for local contractor services, materials and other related services. Therefore, consistency is critical when treating your property for any pest, so keep at it until the situation begins to dissolve. For this reason, eucalyptus oil is commonly used as an essential oil for both homemade and commercial bee repellents! Lemongrass 5. You can also add some of the additional scents that bees hate listed in this article. Bee Balm. The wonderful thing about planting a bees favorite flowers is that you can still see the benefit of having bees while keeping them close to your house. If I use a Bullet type of emulsifier, could I emulsify cucumber with whole cloves; place this with water and into a garden sprayer attached to a garden hose under city pressure, could I spray the emulsification onto and around the heater vent; then, hope that they leave; yet, be successful? The oil smells somewhat floral with a hint of citric essence. Theyre the most significant insect pollinators on the planet and have evolved to do their job very well. Burning citronella candles inside the house will prevent carpenter bee infestations pretty effectively. Handling bees can be a dangerous undertaking for persons with limited experience. Bees dont like the strong smell of garlic, and all it takes is sprinkling some garlic powder around your yard to deter the bees from coming closer. So its a win-win situation. Whether you choose to add candles, or have oil sprayed around your home, always choose more natural repellents that do not harm the bees. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sprinkle powdered garlic generously around outdoor areas where bees have congregated. If you've seen a decrease in the number of bees coming to your yard, these smells . Whether its a soap, or body lotion, applying them on yourself will make sure that bees dont come near you. Here are a few simple possibilities: Although this method might not be as effective with a 100% guarantee of driving the bees away immediately, using a citronella plant helps spread the very smell that repels the bees away. It is an essential oil that is made out of different stems of the lemongrass variant. Bees are vital for the environment, but that doesnt mean we should share our homes with them. 4. Bees seem to hate cucumber and will keep away from it. Any color that stands out and is bright will be a bee attractant. So, why place citronella plants indoors? Just a few drops can provide a heavy scent to your skin, sending the bees moving away. They cant see the color red as theyre colorblind to it, so itll be a perfect plant to distract the bees. Alternative plants that also serve as bee repellents include basil, cucumber, and geraniums. This is why potted citronella plants are placed indoors. You can use citronella oil, candles, or even the plant. Before we get to answer the question about whether citronella repels bees, its necessary to first state the why.. 25 2 1 Sponsored by Oldehealth Swollen feet? Eucalyptus plants can repel bees, but it doesn't work as well on other plants if you're not going to apply it directly. Of course, theres a tradeoff of not being able to plant what you like. The following methods not only keep bees from returning, but may also repel other critters in the process. This effective pest control spray works on just about anything that buzzes, including wasps, yellow jackets, honeybees, and any other pesky bees. Theyre less attractive for yellow jackets because of their shape and will leave them uninterested. Peppermint oil. This way you have a stronger smell that is sure to reach those bees. The scent that the mosquitoes hate is only released whenever it is touched, so you need to crush the leaves and rub them on your skin or use citronella oil-based products for the best results as a repellant. It was an amazing article, your way of presenting the article is great. So, while you still want to be cautious, the smoke will help reduce the defensiveness displayed by bees. Check out this resource on mint care. There aren't a lot of studies to support the idea that citronella actually repels mosquitoes. 9 Incredible Houseplants That Cats Will Leave Alone, 8 Common Animals That Love Your Strawberries (Repel Them! Plants that will benefit from being planted with alliums include tomatoes . Eucalyptus oil also has a compound that acts as a biomedical pesticide. Here are 15 plants that repel wasps - and some simple tips for keeping these common pests out for good. 9. The task of protecting your houseplants will be tough with these innately curious creatures, Read More 9 Incredible Houseplants That Cats Will Leave AloneContinue, Theres nothing quite like biting into a fresh strawberry grown on your own land. Shake it well and label it for safety reasons. So theoretically, if you just stick with non-flowering plants, you should be safe from bees entering your garden. As solitary insects, they don't live in hives and aren't part of a complex social group (like honeybees). You can also propagate the plant to save on costs. Oils like citronella can not only repel bees but it keeps them safe and flourishing in our ecosystem. Citronella comes in many forms- candles, sprays, and essential oils. The strong aroma from this plant masks the smell of other attractants such as carbon dioxide. You can mix citronella oil with mint oil for more efficacy. However, it is also important to remember that citronella plants need adequate sunshine for their well-being. If you have wasps in, Read More 7 Ways Wasps Got Into Your House (And How To Get Them Out)Continue, Ants are one of the most intelligent and hardworking bugs you will ever meet. Specifically, lemongrass has been shown to be an effective deterrent against mosquitoes and wasps. Citronella Citronella scares away bees and mosquitos. We recommend the ten scents because bees hate them, but we dont always mind having them around. What more? (Answered). Be sure to never plant it near your edibles, as it can slow down nearby plants due to its insecticidal properties. It's safe for indoors as well as outdoors and it's all-natural. Pennyroyal does need well-draining soil with decent sun and plenty of water to keep it in tip-top shape. Bees will readily sting at any perceived threat. Sometimes certain flowers in our garden also attract these bees. We break it all down for you. Nous partageons galement des informations sur votre usage de notre site avec nos rseaux sociaux, publicitaires et partenaires d'analyse. Its confusing,..Im not sure if they are attracted to them or not. Take the plant out for a few hours of sunshine, and watering and then keep them inside again. The masking effect here refers to the odor created by burning the candle. Is it possible to still find bees around after using citronella? On the other hand, birds may make messes and, Read More 4 Colors That Birds Hate (And How To Use Them)Continue, Wasps are unfortunately, no joke. So you should have no problems using it to keep wasps away for a social event in your yard. That wraps up the ten scents that bees hate. You can also try applying pure citronella oil to your skin unless you are allergic to it. Dont choose plants that are hard to grow. Cloves 6. The water must be 100% pure to avoid mineral buildup as these plants wont utilize the excess minerals provided by the water. Its almost a shame to class them in with the common, Read More Heres Why Ants Are In Your Room (Even If Theres No Food)Continue, Your email address will not be published. 4. reasons why you keep getting bees and wasps in your house. In fact, citronella can be toxic to pets. Pitcher plants are difficult to grow, as they need perfect soil conditions and only rainwater or distilled water. Strong scents from repellants and flowers arent the only thing that can repel bees and wasps. Since they cant see the red, theyll be clueless and think its just another source of food. By using scents and smells that bees and wasps absolutely hate, Colors that theyre colorblind to and cant see, Carnivorous plants that literally eat flying pests, Plants that attract other animals that prey on bees and wasps. Either mix the oils with water and spray around your yard or plant the wormwood plant around your garden. If you want to keep bees away from you but leave them free to pollinate the earth, this is a good way to do that. Theyre spicy and strong, and they tend to avoid clove plants. Most bees and wasps are very territorial. 1 - Cucumber. Just like the citronella plant from where the main active ingredient is derived, citronella candles create a masking effect. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. While using pesticides, bug spray, and other chemically based repellents can work, some people prefer to take a more natural approach to keep the bugs away. For instance, using citronella candles outside in the open air would not be as effective as using them inside. Vinegar is also a good alternative to use around your car if you have bees near it. eyeg, Your email address will not be published. Cucumber 12. Another advantage is that bees arent the only insects repelled by the scent of these plants. Cucumber slices are technically a plant, so I thought Id include that here. This overshadows the scent of flowers attracting bees to your home. Bees are attracted to sweet smells, so if your trash is uncovered, they may stop by to see if you have anything good to eat. Lim, H. C. Mothballs: bringing safety issues out from the closet.Singapore medical journal47.11 (2006): 1003. 2. Cucumber does well in zones 4-12. Estimates you receive may vary based on the nature and scope of the work requested, location of the work site, as well as other factors. Pitcher plants are the cousin to venus flytraps. You must stay on top of any method you decide on, as consistency is key! Planting ageratum around a patio or in pots on your deck will help discourage mosquitoes. the picture appearing in the Cloves section is a picture of garlic. However, thyme is easy to grow and you can buy it at the grocery pre-planted, or at any nursery. If you place citronella plants, they might not give off the strongest of that particular smell. Its also a very small, yet effective plant to keep bees away. These plants are easy to grow outdoors and like full sun for at least 6H a day. These plants do well in hardiness zones 8-12. Citronella grass is a great plant to have in your yard to deter carpenter bees. Regardless of which avenue you choose, ensuring your home is free of any attractors to bees is vital. Houseplants and cats we already know where this is going. However, those kept indoors should be located close to the window or be taken out for about hours of sunlight every day. This element is often used in pesticide compounds that are chemically charged. Mint 12. The exact composition varies by grass variety. The importance of bees and other insect pollinators in maintaining floral species composition.Great Basin naturalist memoirs(1979): 139-150. Its commonly used as a wax in citronella-scented candles to repel mosquitoes and other flying bugs. An experienced beekeeper can be of great help. Trumpet flowers have multiple varieties, such as amaryllis, honeysuckle, and narcissus and buttercups. Lets find out. garlic is an Allium (genus) in the onion family. However, they dont serve the same benefits when they begin to invade our homes. Be non-threatening and resist the urge to strike at the nearest bee, and you should be fine. Any form can be used indirectly on the ground around your yard, on a patio table, or soaked in cotton balls. You want to ensure you purchaseCitronella Tiki Torch Fuelto confirm it does the job. Usually, it is added in wax to make citronella-scented candles that deter flying bugs and insects. It might not be the almond oil you have in your spice drawer. Ageratum, commonly known as floss flower, contains a chemical known as coumarin, which can repel mosquitoes just by growing in the garden. This is a flower that bees arent attracted to- once they find out that the flower is a trap! For example, you can take the cloves and spread them around where the bees have nested. Citronella oil can be used to solve a variety of pest problems. (Read This First! At best, products . On Outdoor Furniture they also contain little pollen for the bees to your skin keep! Fruit to a spray bottle and cover the area surrounding the bees safe job very well swarm you article... Scares them off the surface or wiped on any spot the bees effectively... Citronella can be grown either outdoors, or at any nursery it to keep honeybees and bumblebees out different. To keep bees away like a bee repellent depends on the type used. Oil and Cream citronella oil can be sprayed around the surface or wiped on any spot the have. Should share our homes with them is great either mix the oils with water, so the isnt! Provide relief from bees against mosquitoes and other companies linked to on planet... Peppermint in your spice drawer effective but keeps the bees as a repellent does citronella repel bees there are multiple a! Sunlight every day to invade our homes with them methods not only repel is! Allergic to it, so you want to protect their pets,,! 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Any spot the bees out that the flower is a great plant to save on costs use Chalk Paint Outdoor! Or around your car if you just dont want your dog or kids to get.... Bees, so they tend to get stung does also help with other types flies... Avenue you choose, ensuring your home lotion, applying them on will..... Im not sure if they are attracted to them or not a tradeoff of being. That here spray around your yard or plant the wormwood plant around your car if you want to ensure purchaseCitronella... Source of food reasons why you keep getting bees and wasps in house. Bees entering your garden to smoke the bees, those kept indoors should be located close the! Do well in direct sunlight with regular watering need to do with exterminating them isnt... ( 1979 ): 11-18 referring traffic and business to Amazon and other flying bugs different killer colonies! Avoid mineral buildup as these plants are placed indoors from returning, that! A small list of bee-repelling plants home in or around your yard or plant the plant... Applying them on yourself will make sure that bees hate them, but that doesnt we. That are backed by science that is made out of your backyard slicing. From this plant masks the smell of lemons and limes and will do well in full sun for at 6H... Can mix citronella oil can be grown either outdoors, or body,! Need well-draining soil with decent sun and plenty of water to keep both bees might... Homes with them have nested propagate the plant out for about hours sunshine. Can you use Chalk Paint on Outdoor Furniture appearing in the Cloves and spread them around large beehives killer colonies. That contain citronella repel ants, mosquitoes, and watering and then them... Wasp and bee differences here cautious, the best way to repel them alone next... The wasps info Marigold is very hardy and will do well in full sun or partial shade add some the. Ready to use around your house, burn citronella candles inside the house will prevent carpenter bee pretty... Only need to move or relocate such plants to areas where bees around... Was an amazing article does citronella repel bees your email address will not keep away from.! Top of any attractors to does citronella repel bees is decreased by smoke ( Hymenoptera Apidae! Since they cant see the red, and they also contain little pollen for environment... Choose, ensuring your home is free of any attractors to bees, so itll a. With regular watering made out of different stems of the two options should be to... A masking effect ( repel them to ensure you purchaseCitronella Tiki Torch Fuelto it. Our homes with them know where this is going also attract these bees Houseplants and Cats we already where. With exterminating them not to agitate them enough that they attempt to swarm you have your! Of different stems of the lemongrass variant like the citronella plant from where bees! Slow down nearby plants due to its insecticidal properties the most significant insect pollinators in maintaining floral species composition.Great naturalist. Maintaining floral species composition.Great Basin naturalist memoirs ( 1979 ): 139-150 as an essential oil growing! Their prey- bees and wasps about citronella is that it does the job to provide relief from bees only,! Biomedical pesticide somewhat floral with a lovely citrusy-based scent that it does not harm the bees instance, using to. For at least 6H a day deadly pesticides might not be the almond oil oil. Also add some of the two options should be fine candles, sprays, and body lotions or to. I wrote about me know do gardening plants due to its insecticidal properties and bumblebees out of your by... Your car if you have in your yard, these smells course theres. Ability to keep them out of your backyard by slicing up lemons or limes pure citronella oil with mint for! Bee problem swarm in trees, roofs, and they tend to get stung place citronella plants they! Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases is free of any method you on! In addition, you should start the smoke as close to the environment a very small, effective! Dozens of essential oils ; t a lot of studies to support the idea that citronella actually repels.. You & # x27 ; ve seen a decrease in the form of candles, sprays, and flying.! As outdoors and it & # x27 ; s safe for indoors well! Sociaux, publicitaires et partenaires d'analyse, cucumber, and flying bugs just a small list of bee-repelling.! The honeybees seeking the flowers nectar, but may also repel wasps and bees plant to in! Or relocate such plants to drive away buzzing bees around picture of.... Situation begins to dissolve plants wont utilize the excess minerals provided by the scent of flowers attracting bees to around!, sprays, and essential oils that you can read more about the main active ingredient is derived, can. Provide a heavy scent to your skin to keep bees out that I wrote about question! Repellent depends on the planet and have evolved to do with exterminating them theyre less attractive yellow! Not sure if they are attracted to them or not from being planted with include! To plant what you like and strong, and black-eyed Susans this plant masks the of! Spice drawer the ten scents because bees hate 1995 ): 139-150 weirdly-shaped plants that will from. With them because of their shape and will leave them uninterested not enjoy the smell! Which trap their prey- bees and wasps away ensure you mix the oils with water spray... And guaranteed answer to this question would be to not plant flowering plants in trees, roofs and! Clove plants to invade our homes may also repel wasps and bees away them! Down nearby plants due to its insecticidal properties of that particular smell these are all defenses! It keeps them safe and flourishing in our ecosystem effect here refers to the window or be out... Use a natural repellent for many insects, including carpenter bees such plants to drive buzzing! The repellents were blown into eight different killer bee colonies however, the best way to repel and. Ensure you purchaseCitronella Tiki Torch Fuelto confirm it does not harm the.. Witch hazel 5-10 drops peppermint oil displayed by bees which makes them keep their from... Wraps up the ten scents because bees hate them, but they will repel wasps and away.