Are you tired of sharing your deck with buzzing bumble bees? These helpful insects may be great for the environment, but they can also become a nuisance when enjoying outdoor space.
If you’ve been spending much time on your deck lately and have noticed pesky bumble bees hovering around or making their presence known, then we feel your frustration.
While these buzzing beauties are a critical part of our ecosystems, they can quickly become unwanted guests when they shop near outdoor furniture or other places where we enjoy hanging out. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to discourage bumble bees from living so close to your home.
In this blog post, we’ll be sharing with you some tips and tricks for how to keep bumble bees away from deck in no time!
What Will You Need?
Before we get into the steps, let’s ensure you have everything you need to keep these bumbling bees at bay.
- Insect repellent spray or essential oils (such as peppermint or citronella)
- Vinegar
- Sugar water solution
- A bucket and sponge
Once you have these items on hand, let’s get started!
10 Easy Steps on How to Keep Bumble Bees Away From Deck
Step 1: Find the Attraction
The first step in keeping bees away from your deck is to figure out what’s attracting them in the first place. Bumble bees are attracted to sweet smells and bright colors, so it’s essential to look out for any potential sources of food or other enticing scents on your deck. If you have any potted plants or flowers, check to see if they are blooming and releasing a solid fragrance.
Step 2: Clean Up Food Spills
If you enjoy eating meals or snacks on your deck, clean up any food spills thoroughly. Bumble bees are attracted to sweet and sugary substances, so it’s essential to remove any leftovers or spills that may have occurred during your outdoor dining. Try to eat over a designated area or tablecloth to easily clean up any messes.
Step 3: Consider Essential Oils
Certain scents, including peppermint and citronella repel bumble bees. You can create your own natural repellent spray by diluting essential oils with water in a spray bottle and spritzing it around your deck area. This will help to keep bees away and also add a refreshing aroma to your outdoor space.
Step 4: Use Vinegar
Another scent that bumble bees do not like is vinegar. You can create a vinegar solution by mixing water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and applying it around your deck area. The smell of the vinegar should deter bees from coming near your deck.
Step 5: Create a Sugar Water Trap
Bumble bees are also attracted to sugar water, but we can use this to our advantage by creating a trap. Fill a bucket with sugar water and place it away from your deck area. This will attract the bees, and they will get stuck in the liquid, making it easier to remove them from your outdoor space.
Step 6: Seal Off Holes and Cracks
Bumble bees often seek out small crevices or holes to build their nests. Inspect your deck for any signs of holes, cracks, or any other potential nesting sites, and make sure to seal them off. You can use a caulking or a similar substance to fill these gaps and prevent bees from setting up home. Remember to conduct these inspections and seal-offs regularly to ensure that new holes or cracks have stayed intact over time.
Step 7: Hire a Professional
If the problem persists despite your best efforts, it might be time to call in a professional. Pest control services have the tools and expertise to handle a bumble bee problem safely and effectively. They can identify the type of bee, locate the nest, and employ various tactics to discourage them from returning. Remember, bees play a crucial role in our ecosystem, so any removals should be done in a way that doesn’t harm the bee population.
Step 8: Regular Maintenance and Inspection
Continual deck maintenance and regular inspections are key in discouraging bumble bees from hovering around your deck. Keep your deck clean, uncluttered, and free of food spills. Regularly check for new nests, especially in spring when queen bumble bees search for places to establish new colonies. By doing so, you can spot potential issues early and take action before the situation escalates.
Step 9: Use a Bee-Repellent Plant
Certain plants are known to repel bees and can act as natural deterrents. Planting these around your deck can help keep bees away. Some of these plants include citronella, eucalyptus, and mint. Not only will they help to ward off bumble bees, but they’ll also bring some added greenery to your outdoor space. Be sure to maintain these plants regularly for the best effect.
Step 10: Install a Fake Nest
Bumble bees are highly territorial creatures, and they prefer not to build a nest near another bee’s nest. By installing a fake nest, you can trick the bees into thinking that the area is already occupied. You can easily find phony bee nests online or at your local garden store. Hang these artificial nests around your deck to deter new colonies from settling in. Remember to place them in spots that are visible to incoming bees.
Following these ten steps, you can easily keep bumble bees away from your deck and enjoy a peaceful outdoor experience. Remember, while it’s essential to take preventative measures, we should also strive to coexist with these vital pollinators.
5 Additional Tips and Tricks
- Use of Essential Oils: Essential oils such as peppermint, citronella, or lemongrass have strong scents that bees find repulsive. Mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and spray around your deck area regularly.
- Maintain a Clean Deck: Bees are attracted to food scraps and sweet beverages. By ensuring that your deck area is clean and free of food residues, you can minimize the attraction for bees.
- Install Bee Deterrent Devices: Devices like decoy bee nests can work to deter bumble bees as they are territorial and typically avoid places where other bees have established nests.
- Seek Professional Help: If all else fails, consider hiring a professional pest control service. They have the expertise to handle the situation without causing harm to the bees or your property.
- Create a Bumble Bee-Friendly Garden: Planting bee-repellent plants such as mint, eucalyptus, or thyme around your deck can help keep bumble bees at bay. These plants give off unpleasant scents to bees and can serve as a natural barrier.
Bumble bees are essential in pollination and should be respected and protected. However, when they become a nuisance around your deck area, these tips can help you keep them away without harming them.
5 Things You Should Avoid
- Avoid Using Pesticides: Pesticides may seem like a quick fix, but they are harmful not only to bees but also to other beneficial insects and the wider environment. Furthermore, many types of bees have developed resistance to common pesticides.
- Don’t Kill the Bees: Never attempt to kill bumble bees as they play a crucial role in our ecosystem by pollinating plants and crops. Instead, try to discourage them from your deck area using humane methods.
- Avoid Bright Colours: Bees are drawn to bright, floral colors as they associate them with flowers. Therefore, it is wise to avoid using bright color decorations or furniture on your deck.
- Don’t Leave Lights On: Bees are attracted to light, so avoid leaving outdoor lights on for extended periods, particularly during their active hours in the morning and early evening.
- Avoid Sweet Smells: Strong, sweet smells, including certain perfumes or air fresheners, can attract bees. Be mindful of this when choosing products on or around your deck.
By avoiding these actions, you can prevent attracting bumble bees to your deck area and keep them from becoming a nuisance.
Is Bumble Bee Harmful?
Bumble bees are generally not aggressive and will only sting if threatened. Their sting is also less potent than other bees, making it relatively harmless for most people. However, if you or someone in your household has a bee allergy, it is crucial to take precautions and seek professional help when dealing with bumble bees around your deck area.
Keeping bumble bees away from your deck may require some effort, but it is possible with these tips and tricks. Using natural methods and avoiding harmful actions, you can coexist peacefully with the bumble bees in your backyard. Remember to always respect these important pollinators and do your part in keeping them safe and thriving. Keep calm, stay informed, and enjoy a bee-free deck this summer!
Conclusion
As you can see, how to keep bumble bees away from deck is not an impossible task. All you need to do is acknowledge their presence and take the necessary steps. Start by placing plants that attract natural predators in your garden, trimming overhanging trees or bushes, cleaning up existing spills, and ensuring that piles of trash are disposed of quickly.
Additionally, use scents and lights to create a barrier between your outdoor space and the bumble bees. Finally, be aware of all possible entry points into your deck area and elements, such as cracks in the foundation, which they could use to gain access.
By taking a few simple steps now, you can ensure that the bees won’t interrupt your enjoyment of the summer months on your deck for many years. Go outside and get started now!