How to Keep Bees Away: Understanding and Managing Our Buzzing Neighbors Without Harming Them

I've spent the better part of two decades dealing with bees in various capacities – from accidentally disturbing a ground nest while mowing (terrifying) to helping neighbors figure out why their pool parties kept getting crashed by thirsty honeybees. What I've learned is that keeping bees away isn't really about warfare; it's more like diplomatic negotiations with a species that's just trying to make a living.

The thing about bees is they're not out to get you. They're basically the workaholics of the insect world, and when they show up uninvited, they usually have a pretty good reason. Understanding those reasons is half the battle in keeping them at a comfortable distance.

Why Bees Show Up in the First Place

Bees are drawn to specific things, and once you understand their motivations, you can start thinking like a bee – which, oddly enough, helps you keep them away more effectively than any spray or trap.

Water is the big one. During hot summers, I've watched lines of bees visiting my neighbor's leaky faucet like it was the neighborhood watering hole. They need water not just to drink but to cool their hives through evaporation. A single colony might need a quart of water daily during peak summer. That's why they love pools, birdbaths, and even that puddle from your air conditioner condensation.

Then there's the food situation. Bees aren't just after flowers – they're opportunists. Sweet drinks, ripe fruit, even that sticky spot where your kid dropped their popsicle yesterday. I once had a persistent group of bees that kept visiting my recycling bin until I realized there was dried soda in the bottom of several cans.

Sometimes bees show up because they're house hunting. Scout bees are constantly looking for new real estate, and human structures can look pretty appealing. Those gaps in your siding, the space behind your shutters, or that old birdhouse you forgot about – all prime bee real estate.

Natural Deterrents That Actually Work

Let me save you some money right off the bat: most of those ultrasonic bee repellers are about as effective as yelling at clouds. But there are natural approaches that can make your space less appealing to bees without turning your yard into a chemical wasteland.

Certain plants genuinely repel bees, though "repel" might be too strong a word – let's say they make bees think twice. Cucumber peels contain an acid that bees find off-putting. I've had decent success placing fresh cucumber peels around outdoor dining areas. They need to be replaced every couple of days, but it's surprisingly effective for small spaces.

Peppermint oil is another winner. Bees have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell, and strong mint overwhelms them. Mix about 30 drops of peppermint essential oil with a cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray it around areas where you don't want bees, but here's the catch – you'll need to reapply after rain or every few days. The smell dissipates quickly, which is actually good because you probably don't want your entire patio smelling like a candy cane factory.

Cinnamon works similarly. I discovered this by accident when I spilled a container of ground cinnamon near my back door. For weeks, I didn't see a single bee near that area. Now I deliberately sprinkle it around problem spots. Just don't use it where rain will wash it into your garden beds – cinnamon can affect soil pH.

Managing Water Sources

Since water is such a powerful bee attractant, managing water sources around your property is crucial. But here's where it gets tricky – you can't just remove all water sources and call it a day. Bees have excellent memories and will return to known water sources for weeks.

If you have a pool, adding a water feature or fountain that creates movement can help. Bees prefer still water where they can land safely. The movement makes it less appealing, though determined bees will still visit. Some pool owners swear by adding a small amount of vinegar to the water – not enough to affect swimming but enough to make it less attractive to bees. I'm skeptical about this one, but it might be worth trying.

For birdbaths and water features, consider adding a few drops of pine oil or eucalyptus oil. It won't harm birds but makes the water less appealing to bees. Alternatively, place a shallow dish of water with some rocks for landing spots far from your main activity areas. Give the bees what they want, just not where you don't want them.

Fix leaky faucets and eliminate standing water. Check your gutters – clogged gutters that hold water are bee magnets. That old wheelbarrow collecting rainwater? Empty it regularly.

Physical Barriers and Design Solutions

Sometimes the best solution is the simplest. Physical barriers work because bees, despite their reputation for persistence, generally follow the path of least resistance.

Fine mesh screening is your friend. If bees are entering specific areas like sheds or under deck spaces, hardware cloth or fine mesh can block access without looking terrible. Just make sure you're not trapping any bees inside when you install it.

For outdoor dining areas, consider pop-up netted tents. They're not the most elegant solution, but for those times when you absolutely need a bee-free zone, they work. I've used them for kids' birthday parties with great success.

Here's something most people don't think about: the color of your outdoor furniture and decorations matters. Bees see colors differently than we do. They're attracted to blue, purple, and yellow but can't see red at all. If you're constantly dealing with bees at your picnic table, that bright yellow tablecloth might be part of the problem.

Dealing with Established Bee Presence

When bees have already decided your property is their new favorite spot, you need different tactics. First, identify what type of bees you're dealing with. Honeybees behave differently from carpenter bees, which behave differently from ground-nesting bees.

For honeybees that are just foraging, disrupting their routine often works. If they're visiting at specific times (usually mid-morning to late afternoon), try watering the area heavily just before their usual arrival time. Bees don't like getting their wings wet and will often find somewhere else to forage.

Carpenter bees are a different story. These are the big, bumbling bees that drill perfect holes in your deck or fence. They're actually quite docile – the males can't even sting – but they can cause structural damage. Painting or staining exposed wood helps since they prefer unpainted surfaces. For existing holes, wait until evening when they're inside, then fill the holes with steel wool and caulk.

Ground bees are perhaps the most alarming to encounter but often the easiest to discourage. They don't like wet soil, so regular watering of the area usually sends them packing. Just be careful during the process – disturbing the nest can make them defensive.

When Professional Help Makes Sense

I'm all for DIY solutions, but sometimes you need to call in the cavalry. If you discover an actual hive in your walls, attic, or other structure, don't try to handle it yourself. Established colonies can contain tens of thousands of bees, and removing them improperly can create bigger problems.

Look for bee removal services rather than exterminators. Many beekeepers will remove honeybee colonies for free or a small fee because they can relocate the bees to their apiaries. It's a win-win – you get rid of the bees, and they get to keep making honey somewhere else.

If you're dealing with Africanized bees (more common in the southern United States), definitely call professionals. These bees are more defensive and will pursue perceived threats much farther than European honeybees.

Living in Harmony

Here's the thing I've learned after all these years: completely bee-proofing your property is neither possible nor desirable. Bees are essential pollinators, and we need them around. The goal isn't to create a bee-free zone but to manage where and when bees visit your space.

I've found that the best approach is often a combination of methods. Use natural deterrents in high-traffic areas, manage water sources thoughtfully, and accept that you'll still see bees in your garden – which is where you want them.

One summer, I spent weeks trying every method to keep bees away from my deck. Finally, I realized they were just passing through to get to my neighbor's flowering bushes. Instead of fighting it, I planted some bee-friendly flowers at the far end of my property. The bees got a closer food source, and they stopped traveling across my deck to get to my neighbor's yard. Sometimes the solution is to give them a better option rather than trying to eliminate all options.

Remember, most bee encounters are brief and harmless. That bee checking out your soda can is just investigating, not planning an attack. Stay calm, move slowly, and give them space to leave on their own. Swatting at bees is like honking at someone in traffic – it just makes everyone more agitated and doesn't solve anything.

The methods I've shared here come from years of trial, error, and more than a few stings. They're not perfect, and what works in my humid climate might need tweaking in yours. But they're a starting point for creating a comfortable coexistence with our essential pollinators. Because at the end of the day, we need bees a lot more than they need us, and finding ways to share our spaces peacefully is just good neighbor policy – even if those neighbors have six legs and a stinger.

Authoritative Sources:

Caron, Dewey M., and Lawrence John Connor. Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping. Wicwas Press, 2013.

Ellis, Jamie D., and Amanda Ellis. "African Honey Bee, Africanized Honey Bee, Killer Bee, Apis mellifera scutellata Lepeletier." University of Florida IFAS Extension, 2021. edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN738

Flottum, Kim. The Backyard Beekeeper: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Keeping Bees in Your Yard and Garden. Quarry Books, 2018.

Mader, Eric, et al. Attracting Native Pollinators: Protecting North America's Bees and Butterflies. Storey Publishing, 2011.

Morse, Roger A., and Nicholas W. Calderone. "The Value of Honey Bees as Pollinators of U.S. Crops in 2000." Cornell University, 2000. pollinator.org/pollinated_food

Seeley, Thomas D. Honeybee Democracy. Princeton University Press, 2010.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. "Protecting Bees and Other Pollinators from Pesticides." EPA.gov, 2023. epa.gov/pollinator-protection

Winston, Mark L. The Biology of the Honey Bee. Harvard University Press, 1987.