Bees can be a nuisance for homeowners, especially when they decide to make their home on the deck. With an ever-growing population of honey bees and other types of pollinators, it’s important as homeowners that we take measures to understand how best to keep them away from our decks. It’s easy enough to swat at a bee or two with your hand, but what about large swarms? As a bee expert, I’m here to help guide you through this buzzing problem in order to give everyone their much-deserved peace of mind.
As Benjamin Franklin famously wrote:
“A house is not complete without its swarm”.
While this may have been true centuries ago, today, we need to find ways to safely remove these unwanted guests while still protecting our environment. Keeping bees away from the deck isn’t just about getting rid of pesky insects – it’s also about establishing harmony between nature and humans. But don’t worry; there are plenty of simple solutions available that you can implement right away!
From natural deterrents such as essential oils, plants, and herbs to more modern methods like insect repellents and traps, there are many options available for keeping bees away from your deck so you can enjoy some quality outdoor time without having to battle against busy buzzers. We’ll cover all these topics in great detail throughout this article, helping you gain valuable insight into how best to manage any sort of bee infestation near your property.
Overview Of Bee Habits
Bees are a vital part of the ecosystem and can be beneficial to have around, but they can also become a nuisance. Understanding their habits is key to keeping them away from your outdoor deck space. Bees tend to inhabit wooden decks when looking for shelter or places to build nests. They may also enter through cracks in wood decks because of their small size. To keep bees away from your wood deck, it’s important to identify areas where they might gain entry. Additionally, understanding why bees are drawn toward certain spaces can help you take steps to make sure they stay away from your property.
Ways to Get Rid of Bees
There are many ways to get rid of bees off your deck and where they belong – on your flowers, doing what they do best – pollinating! In summary, we’ll cover the following:
- physical barriers
- chemical repellents
- herbs and flower repellents
- Natural predators
- traps
- ultrasonic deterrents
- bee vacuums
- foam and sprays
- keep it clean
Physical Barriers
As a bee expert, I recommend physical barriers as the first line of defense against bees. These are objects placed between you and the insects that prevent them from entering your space. Netting or screening installed around your deck will keep bees away from areas where people congregate on hot summer days.
If you don’t want to go through such drastic measures and want a more open feel, you may wish to use chemical repellents!
Chemical Repellents
One of the best ways to keep bees away from your deck is to use chemical repellents. Take, for example, Mr. Smith’s backyard in suburban Denver – he was having trouble with a bee infestation on his patio furniture and had no idea what to do! After researching online, he found that using an effective insect repellent like permethrin or pyrethrum could help him solve this problem quickly.
These chemical compounds act as contact insecticides, meaning they must be sprayed directly onto the area where you want protection from bees. This can be done easily with a garden sprayer and will provide immediate relief when applied correctly – just make sure to read all safety instructions before applying any type of pesticide!
Mighty Mint Repellent
Insect Repellent Spray
- Mighty Mint
- Safe
- Long-Lasting Protection
- Natural Ingredients
- Large 1 Gallon
- Essential Oil
Additionally, these types of chemicals are generally safe for humans and pets. Still, they may need to be reapplied every few weeks, depending on weather conditions or how often you’re using your deck space.
By taking proactive measures such as implementing chemical repellents, Mr. Smith was able to enjoy his outdoor space without worrying about bees buzzing around. Now it’s time to look at another strategy – planting flowers and herbs known for their natural abilities to repel insects.
Planting Repellent Flowers And Herbs
One of the most natural and effective ways to keep bees away from your deck is by planting flowers and herbs that naturally repel them. Bees are attracted to sweet-smelling blossoms, so counteracting this can be a great way to send them on their merry way.
Here’s a list of plants that you could plant around your deck for bee repellent:
- cucumber
- geraniums
- citronella oil
- Lavender
- eucalyptus
- Mint
- Basil
Not only will these plants act as an effective deterrent against bees, but they also look beautiful in any garden or outside seating area. Planting some of these throughout your yard will provide relief not just from bees but other pests like flies and mosquitoes too! Plus, if you’re into gardening, it’s always fun adding new plants to create something special for yourself and your family.
Now that we’ve looked at how to use certain flowers and herbs to keep bees away from our decks let’s explore what else we can do with natural predators.
Natural Predators
Another way to keep bees away from the deck is by encouraging natural predators. To put it another way, introducing birds and other animals that feed on bees can provide a much-needed service in keeping your outdoor space bee-free.
One of the easiest methods of doing this is to install birdhouses around the perimeter of the area. Birds such as thrushes, kingbirds, swifts, mockingbirds, and woodpeckers will eat bees. Give these birds a safe place to nest, and you’ll be giving them easy access to any bees buzzing about.
Additionally, bat houses can be installed if bats are present in your area, as these nocturnal creatures often hunt for insects at night – including honeybees! With some clever planning and effort, you can make sure that your outdoor living space remains free from unwanted visitors like bees using natural means.
Traps
Traps can be a great way to reduce the bee population around your deck. There are two types of traps that you can use:
- commercial
- homemade
Commercial Traps
Commercial traps come in various shapes and sizes, depending on the type of bee or wasp you’re trying to trap. They usually involve an attractant, such as scent or color, which draws the bees into a container where they cannot escape.
B Brothers-Carpenter Bee Trap
Bee Trap
- Mimics the natural nest of a carpenter bee
- Patented (U.S. # RE46.421) design
- Hardwood and a glass jar
- Honey Bee safe
- Includes 2 screw hooks and chain for hanging.
- Hooks and chain NOT attached for shipping purposes
Most commercially available traps require some assembly and should be placed away from areas with high human activity so that other animals don’t get trapped inside them by mistake.
Homemade Traps
Homemade traps are often made out of materials like plastic bottles, containers, cardboard boxes, etc. They are filled with water and sugar solution, which draws the bees. When they enter, their wings become wet, making it difficult for them to take off again.
To make sure this is effective, these homemade traps must be emptied regularly as they quickly fill up with dead bees.
To further deter pesky bees from hovering around your deck area, consider using electrical deterrents.
Ultrasonic Deterrents
Now that we have discussed traps let’s move on to electrical deterrents. Such devices are great for keeping bees away from decks and other areas of the yard. By emitting high-frequency sound waves, these products create an uncomfortable environment for honeybees and discourage them from entering the area.
CLEANRTH CIN009
When using such a device, it is important to note that not all frequencies will be successful in deterring bees. A frequency must be specifically tailored to the species of bee present in order to achieve maximum effectiveness. Furthermore, the range of coverage should also be considered when selecting a model; some may only cover small areas, while others can reach up to 20 feet or more!
Ultimately, if properly chosen and placed correctly, electric deterrents can provide excellent protection against bees–driving them far away from your outdoor living space with minimal effort.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to keep bees off your deck without relying solely on chemical products, this may be worth considering as a viable option. One added benefit is that not only does it provide protection against bee swarms or hives, but also can serve as a deterrent against other types of pests like mosquitoes and flies. So if you want an additional layer of security while enjoying time outdoors near your deck, then investing in an ultrasonic device could prove beneficial.
Bee Vacuums
The buzzing of bees around your deck can be a nuisance, but with the right tool, you can rid yourself of them. Enter the bee vacuum: an invaluable instrument for keeping bees away from your outdoor area.
Picture it like this: You’re sitting out on your deck, enjoying the summer sun, when suddenly a swarm of bees surrounds you and starts to buzz incessantly. Before long, they’ve made themselves at home! But don’t panic – that’s where the bee vacuum comes in handy. Utilizing powerful suction, it will quickly suck up all those pesky insects, so you can enjoy some peace and quiet again.
Snow Joe Vacuum
Vacuum
- Dual Filtration
- 4 amp motor generates up to 500 W of suction power. Cord Length (feet.) 8.5.Voltage:120 V
- Easy to clean
What makes the bee vacuum even better is its portability – forgo using harmful sprays or foams, which could endanger other wildlife as well as potentially harm humans, and instead opt for this more environmentally friendly method of pest control. So if you have a problem with unwanted guests on your deck, consider investing in a bee vacuum today! It’ll save time and energy while providing satisfactory results every time.
Sprays And Foams
Now, let’s move on to sprays and foams for keeping bees away from decks. Sprays are an excellent way to keep bees at bay. The active ingredients in most insect repellents contain pyrethroid or neem oil, which effectively repels bees without harming them. It is important to remember that you should only apply these sprays on the areas affected by bee activity and not your entire deck, as it may damage any surfaces like wood and paintwork.
Foam-based products can also be used to deter bees from decks. These types of products usually come with a long straw attached so they can be applied directly into crevices where bees nest or congregate around. Foams work similarly to sprays but often last longer due to their slow-release nature, meaning fewer re-applications are needed over time. By using either spray or foam treatments, you can help prevent large swarms of bees from taking up residence on your deck!
Light reflectors offer another method for discouraging bee activity near your deck area.
Keeping Your Deck Clean And Clear
Keeping your deck clean and clear is key to keeping bees away from it. Did you know that honeybees are attracted to the sweet smells of food and drinks? So, if there are crumbs or spilled drinks on your deck, they may be lured in looking for a snack! Here’s what you can do to keep them at bay:
- Clean up any spills right away with soap and water
- Make sure all food items are stored properly, e.g., in covered containers
- Put a lid on all trash cans
There are also some things you should avoid doing around the deck, as bees may be drawn in by certain scents too.
For example, don’t wear heavy perfumes on outside decks – this will only attract more bugs, including bees! And never smoke near the area either – nicotine is an incredibly powerful bee attractant. As an expert beekeeper, I advise against using any pesticides or other chemicals when trying to deter bees from your outdoor space. Doing so could harm both human health and the bee population!
Conclusion
There are many ways to deter bees from your backyard deck – both natural and not. Bees are naturally attracted to food sources such as nectar-rich flowers, sweet fruits, sugary beverages, and even human sweat–all of which may be present in or around your deck. So what can you do?
First and foremost, avoid wearing fragrant lotions and perfumes when spending time outside on the deck. Also, try not to spill any sugary drinks or snacks that could potentially lure in a bee swarm. If possible, try to keep all food out of sight while on the deck too! Use plants that repel bees such as lavender, near the edge of your deck can help deter bees with their powerful aroma.
Proactively taking these steps ahead of time will significantly reduce the chances of encountering an unwelcome bee presence while enjoying your outdoor living space. Taking precautions now is well worth it if it means avoiding stings later down the road.