Honey bees are beneficial pollinators, but they often congregate around swimming pools, causing concern for homeowners. Foraging bees seek water sources for their colony, and an accessible pool quickly becomes a preferred destination. A peaceful solution involves understanding bee behavior and redirecting them using non-lethal methods. The goal is to provide attractive alternatives while making the pool environment less appealing.
Understanding Why Bees Are Attracted to Pools
Bees require water for biological and social functions, making the pool a tempting target, especially during hot weather. Worker bees transport water back to the hive to dilute honey reserves, which feeds larvae and adult bees. They also use water for evaporative cooling inside the hive, spreading droplets and fanning their wings to regulate brood temperature.
Pool water often contains specific elements that bees actively seek out, making it more attractive than fresh water. Bees are drawn to mineral-rich sources, particularly sodium or salt, which are present in both saltwater and chlorinated pools. The scent of chlorine may also serve as an olfactory cue, helping bees locate the source. Once a forager identifies a source, it communicates the location through the waggle dance, leading to a persistent stream of visitors.
Creating Alternative Water Sources
The most effective, long-term strategy is establishing a dedicated water station away from the swimming area. Bees exhibit high fidelity to an established water source, so training them early is advantageous. The diversion station should be placed at least 20 to 30 feet away from the pool to establish a new foraging pattern.
The water source design must accommodate the bees’ inability to swim, preventing them from drowning. Using a shallow dish, birdbath, or plant saucer filled with water is ideal. The container should be filled with landing materials, such as pebbles, sand, corks, or small pieces of floating wood, allowing the bees to stand securely while drinking.
To make the alternative source more attractive initially, beekeepers recommend adding a small amount of salt or a drop of chlorine. This mimics the mineral content or scent cues that initially drew them to the pool. Once the bees consistently use the alternative site, these additives can be discontinued, as they will return to the established location.
Implementing Physical and Sensory Deterrents
Directly addressing the pool area involves using physical barriers and strong scents to make the environment less welcoming. Covering the pool with a safety or solar cover when not in use eliminates access to the water surface. Circulating the pool water by keeping the pump running creates turbulence, which bees avoid since they prefer still water sources for safer collection.
Sensory deterrents rely on the bees’ developed sense of smell to create an unpleasant perimeter around the pool. Strong essential oils, such as peppermint, citronella, eucalyptus, or clove, repel bees without causing them harm. These oils can be diluted with water and sprayed around the pool deck, furniture, or applied to cotton balls placed near the water’s edge.
Disrupting the bees’ flight path around the pool area is another physical deterrent. Placing a high-velocity fan to blow air across the water surface creates a localized wind current, making it difficult for bees to land. Additionally, removing highly attractive elements, such as colorful pool toys or bee-friendly flowering plants near the deck, reduces the cues drawing the insects closer.
When to Seek Professional Help
Most bee activity around a pool relates to water foraging, which is managed with diversion and deterrence methods. If the number of bees is excessive or aggressive, or if a dense stream of insects enters a specific structural cavity, it may indicate a nearby colony. A large, established nest in a wall void, shed, or tree trunk requires specialized removal services.
If a potential hive is suspected, the safest approach is contacting a local beekeeper or a professional humane bee removal service. These specialists possess the equipment and knowledge necessary to safely relocate the colony without resorting to extermination. Attempting to manage a full colony without experience can result in stings and may lead to harmful removal methods.