Many people seek non-toxic methods to discourage buzzing visitors from areas like patios, decks, or picnic sites. Finding a balance is important, as true bees are crucial pollinators that benefit the ecosystem. The goal is to gently deter nuisance insects, which are often mistaken for bees, while protecting beneficial ones from harmful chemicals. Natural strategies focus on using scents or physical barriers to create an unappealing environment.
Bees vs. Wasps: Who Are You Repelling?
Before applying any deterrent, it is important to correctly identify the insect causing the nuisance, as true bees and aggressive wasps require different approaches. Bees, such as honeybees and bumblebees, are generally docile and primarily focused on foraging for nectar and pollen. These beneficial insects have robust, fuzzy bodies with softer yellow and black markings, and they rarely sting unless their hive is directly threatened.
The primary culprits for aggressive interactions near human food and drink are typically wasps, especially yellow jackets and hornets. Wasps have smooth, shiny bodies with a distinct, narrow waist. Unlike bees, yellow jackets are scavengers, attracted to proteins and sugary human foods, and they can sting multiple times. This makes them far more aggressive, particularly in late summer and fall. Repellent methods should be targeted primarily at these aggressive scavengers, while true bees should simply be encouraged to move away from a specific area without being harmed.
Scent-Based Natural Deterrents
Strong, aromatic plant-based compounds are the most common form of natural repellent. They overload the insect’s odor sensors, confusing and deterring them. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant essences that can be used in sprays or diffusers to establish a perimeter of protection. Peppermint oil is a widely cited deterrent, disliked by both bees and wasps due to its intense menthol compounds.
Mixing a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle allows for application around outdoor seating areas, doorways, or windows to keep insects at a distance. Other effective essential oils for deterring wasps include:
- Clove
- Geranium
- Lemongrass
- Eucalyptus
Clove oil is particularly potent due to the presence of eugenol. These oils can be used alone or in blends, often soaked into cotton balls and placed strategically or diffused into the air.
Beyond oils, certain fresh herbs and produce can also be used as passive deterrents around outdoor dining areas. Cucumber peels, for example, release a compound that many stinging insects find unpleasant. Placing crushed mint leaves, sliced bay leaves, or fresh basil plants near food can also help, as the strong aromas of these herbs are often avoided by foraging wasps.
Environmental and Physical Deterrence Strategies
Modifying the immediate environment and eliminating attractants is an effective, non-scent-based strategy for reducing nuisance stinging insect activity. The single most important step is removing all uncovered food sources, as wasps are heavily drawn to exposed sugary drinks, ripe fruit, and protein scraps. All garbage should be disposed of promptly and secured in bins with tight-fitting lids to prevent scavengers from accessing refuse.
Physical barriers also play a role, such as ensuring all windows and doors have intact screens. Inspecting the property for potential nesting sites and sealing small cracks or crevices can prevent wasps from establishing a foothold. Yellow jackets often nest in ground holes, so filling in abandoned animal burrows or depressions in the lawn can reduce available habitat.
For wasps, placing a decoy nest may discourage a new colony from building nearby, as wasps are territorial. Gently moving true bees away from an area can be accomplished using a fine water mist or a small amount of smoke, which disorients them without causing harm. Avoiding bright colors and floral patterns in clothing can also help, as these resemble the flowers that naturally attract them.