I have yet to find a bug repellant that does, or many new beekeepers would spray it on before working the hive. It is made from the Cymbopogon Grass plant, a common ingredient in commercial repellent products, such as candles and smoke spirals. 9 Incredible Houseplants That Cats Will Leave Alone, 8 Common Animals That Love Your Strawberries (Repel Them! Certain plants have shown effectiveness as topical repellents for haematophagous insects, such as the use of lemon eucalyptus in PMD, but incomplete research and misunderstood applications can produce variable results. Our recommendations are based on scents bees do not like, and while there is evidence to show they are effective, its not 100% foolproof. They can sting you as you are eating, sleeping, or watching TV. Citronella is an essential oil that is widely used as a natural repellent. Bees are most active during the day when they pollinate these flowers! (Quick Answers), Can You Use Baking Soda on Granite? Lemongrass 5. The smell is bad enough to repel gnats, moths, flies, roaches, bees, fleas, ticks, ants, and wasps, especially when it is in oil form. Can You Eat Green Tomatoes Raw? Thyme has been reported to work against wasps, but I couldnt find any solid proof online from reputable sources. Its an undisputed fact that bees are valuable to humans and the ecosystem. This method will be a double whammy and can work to repel other animals as well! Its also a very small, yet effective plant to keep bees away. Because bees are such an important part of the ecosystem and our livelihoods, any method that allows us to drive them away is welcome. The mild scent that the plant gives off at least lets the bees know that this isnt where they want to make a home. Here, our goal is to find out if eucalyptus oil repels bugs. hi. Even worse than having wasps or bees in your yard is discovering them inside your home! Geraniums should be planted in the red variety to be effective against bees. Some of the smells that bees hate the most include lemongrass oil, cinnamon, vinegar, citronella, cucumber, and peppermint. Or if you found this helpful, let me know. Citronella candles are moderately effective at repelling mosquitoes but only in the immediate area surrounding the candle. To keep bees away, sprinkle cayenne pepper in the areas where you have seen bees. Wormwood has long been known to have the ability to repel pests by nature. Bees are responsible for pollinating crops that produce some of the food we put on our plates at night. Lemongrass is native to Asia and widely known as citronella plant. You can also use cinnamon sticks if you dont have any ground cinnamon available. These plants will not keep away the honeybees seeking the flowers nectar, but they will repel wasps. Can I Put Fabric Softener in the Bleach Dispenser? But there are a few types of plants you can buy that will naturally repel wasps. americasbeekeeper.com. You can look for citronella wrist bands that give off that smell to keep bees away from childrens bodies. So as you try to defend your home, remember, they are trying to do the same. It is best known for repelling mosquitoes, but the smell also works well at deterring other insects. 1. Since bees are so vital to our environments, harming them permanently is not what anybody should aim for. I have a nest of honey bees which built in an empty rental house via the water heater vent. We break it all down for you. We recommend the ten scents because bees hate them, but we dont always mind having them around. Citronella oil can be used to solve a variety of pest problems. Repelling bees, really? Whether you choose to add candles, or have oil sprayed around your home, always choose more natural repellents that do not harm the bees. 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. Do not spray them directly with the vinegar solution to ensure you dont hurt the bees. For the record, bees dont technically have noses and use their antennae, mouth, and the tips of their legs to smell. Planting ageratum around a patio or in pots on your deck will help discourage mosquitoes. (Read This First! If a swarm of bees finds its way into the interior of your home, they will do everything they can to build a nest. Theyre the most significant insect pollinators on the planet and have evolved to do their job very well. Grab a spray bottle and add four parts water to one part vinegar. You can also add some of the additional scents that bees hate listed in this article. Pitcher plants 14. Thyme 7. [1] Whether using its extracted essential oil or growing the citronella grass itself, the same repellent effect is achieved. If you are okay with bees doing their job in your yard, but dont want them too close, ensure you plant their favorite flowers away from your house. These bees are often found around wood structures. When you light these candles, the smell is spread throughout the rooms. in your yard, wasps will naturally be less likely to remain in the area. The veggie requires warm weather and plenty of water, so make sure youre in the right hardiness zone before planting. It contains chemical pesticides as well as a strong pungent aroma that is mostly used to keep insects away from your clothes. Now that you know the smells bees highly dislike, it is essential . Or you just dont want your dog or kids to get stung. Perhaps they dont want to get stung or just hate having a ton of bees buzzing around. Sprinkle around any spot where you have seen evidence of bees. So, in a nutshell, you must avoid performing beehive relocation yourself. 9. If you want to plant quickly and effectively, consider getting something like this Bee Friendly Wildflower Seed Mix! No need to go to a spa. So you need to keep it pruned and trimmed or else it can take over your yard. Bees play an important role on this planet, so we must use alternatives to deadly pesticides. Visit our Terms and Conditions for more information. So you need to decide. Cucumber slices are technically a plant, so I thought Id include that here. 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. This makes it easier it place where you want and you dont have to start from seed. They dont like the bitterness of the cucumber slices. Mint 12. Is it possible to still find bees around after using citronella? Youre probably no stranger to citronella if you spend any time outside. The goal is to smoke the bees out but not to agitate them enough that they attempt to swarm you. If you want to keep honeybees and bumblebees out of the yard or your house, burn citronella candles. But for heavier infestations, you may need something stronger. You can grow and upkeep mint easily. Citrus oil sprayed into newly drilled holes will help keep the bees from creating a nest in the hole. Because of its strong citrus odor, people use the mixture of lemon eucalyptus oil as an ant repellent. This procedure is professionally handled without killing bees. You can also try to lure the bees to focus in a different direction. Sticking some tiki torches with citronella candles on them near a nest is sometimes enough to actually make the bees move house. One great idea is to use a plant and put some of the crushed citronella leaves on the pod or plant. This method is especially suitable for people who face the challenges of big bees entering their homes. Finally, you can also plant peppermint in your yard to protect bees. Tarping can prove effective for a nest that is on the ground but know that this method is lethal. Bees can become a nuisance if they create a home in or around your house. Massage Oil and Cream Citronella oil can also be added to massage oil and cream that can be applied to your skin. Bee Balm. Bees might be pollinators, but they are very picky. (Answered), Standard Bedroom Curtain Size? For those who really want a flower that repels bees, this would be the one.. Nice catch. Yes, it does, and dealing with rubbing oil on your skin can be much easier than crushing leaves and hoping that that works for you. You can create a perimeter of mint for your yard and garden, and in addition to the bees being repelled, you can also have mint to garnish your meals! Houseplants and cats we already know where this is going. Eucalyptus can be grown in hardiness zones 7a through 10b. Instead, mint is what makes them go away instantly. And we all know how essential to the ecosystem bees are. This natural herb also emits natural essential oils from the plant. Finally, since the bees may become agitated when the solution is sprayed around them, ensure you take your time and dont rush things. The soil should be moist, but well-drained, otherwise the roots can rot. Does Citronella Oil Repel Bees? We've seen that its main repellent action lies in the scent it releases. Its a quick-growing plant and needs a lot of space so pots dont work. Basil is toxic to mosquito larvae, so you can put it near standing water to deter mosquitoes from laying eggs. Required fields are marked *. Thats why its hard to find a flowering plant that repels bees. Can Citronella be used as a bee repellent? So, why place citronella plants indoors? While peppermint oil is one of the scents bees hate, you need to be cautious. This repellent product can be applied in its various forms around bee-infested areas. Do citronella candles work to prevent mosquitoes? Mint What about spearmint? 14 Plants That Repel Bees and Wasps (With Proof), How to Get Rid of Pests on Geraniums Naturally (Fast and, How to Get Rid of Bugs on Cauliflower Plants (Naturally), How to Get Rid of Bugs on Pepper Plants (Naturally), How to Repel Scorpions Naturally (Get Rid of Them, How to Get Rid of Larder Beetles Naturally (Home, Kitchen,, How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Car Naturally (Fast, How to Get Rid of Clover Mites Naturally (Home and Garden), How to Get Rid of Bees in the Chimney (For Good). Under such circumstances, a more drastic approach needs to be taken. You can also plant fresh cucumber as a repelling plant and also have some cucumber to add to your salad when it matures. You only need to move or relocate such plants to areas where bees nest around. Using citronella candles is another effective way to drive away bees from your home. They also need to be moved to a warmer location during the winter until frost is over. This plant grows through zones 6 through 9. 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. Theyre spicy and strong, and they tend to avoid clove plants. In addition, they can find their way into attics and the basement and go unnoticed for a lengthy amount of time. Citronella is also believed to repel wasps, gnats, and mosquitoes. The peppermint plant and essential oil are also effective for repelling bees. You literally just plant it, water it, and forget about it. However, we prefer to use Cliganic eucalyptus, as it is USDA organic-certified products. It will also deter bees from hovering around you or any other area you spray it, without killing them. Does citronella repel bees? Citronella grass is a great plant to have in your yard to deter carpenter bees. Patch up Cracks & Make Repairs. With that said, recent evidence suggests that citronella doesn't actually work as effectively as some people claim. The pitcher plants are carnivorous plants that wont deter bees and wasps. Plant it directly into the soil. 2. The strong smell will deter the bees from coming back to their hive or building one in the first place. Quite similar to bumblebees, honey bees can also come live in your backyard or garden, trying to enter your home once in a while. Its very overpowering, so they will stay away without much of a fight! These alternatives will be ideal for persons experiencing adverse reactions while using citronella. Please note, Im not saying to go light the hive on fire. Unlike other flying insects, bees are not attracted to the scent of humans; they are just curious by nature. . Will it do the same for bees? As with any pest problem, sometimes its best to leave it up to aprofessionalequipped to tackle these situations. While citronella has been found to repel bees, its still possible to have these insects sticking around your home. You can also mix 100 ml of water with the mix in a spray bottle and sprinkle it on your skin, hair, and clothes. However, the insects that fall prey to pitcher plants are bees . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Zack DeAngelis, the creator of Pest Pointers. It is worth noting that these candles are sufficient in keeping bees and other insects away. Its popularly used as an insect and animal repellent. . Oils like citronella can not only repel bees but it keeps them safe and flourishing in our ecosystem. Its even better to bring your bins into the garage when they arent used. Bees have a much better sense of smell than humans, which they use to find pollination sources. You can either have an amazing garden with beautiful flowering plants with bees. Without further ado, here are the ten scents we suggest using when trying to deter bees from your premises. Lets find out. 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? Cayenne pepper is also very effective for underground hives. When you are mixing citronella oil and water, you can get creative and add other essential oils as well. Theres no doubt the combination of the two spices is one of the scents bees hate. If you do that and move the plants away, the smell would go away as well. You can apply almond oil directly to any wooden areas where bees have been present. The easiest method of using almonds as a deterrent is to purchaseTrue Oils Bitter Almond Oil. If you've seen a decrease in the number of bees coming to your yard, these smells . These smells include garlic, cinnamon, lemon, or live, and including these makes your natural repellent spray a lot more effective. (Just to name a few). 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