11 Ways to Get Rid of Bumble Bees - wikiHow (2024)

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1Remove leaves and loose brush.

2Block up the entrance holes to their nests.

3Re-route the nest entrances.

4Soak the ground with water.

5Remove birdhouses that have bees' nests.

6Spray soapy water on the nest.

7Mix a vinegar repellent for a natural option.

8Make a citrus solution for a gentle repellent.

9Mix a repellent with soap and essential oils for a fragrant deterrent.

10Avoid disturbing endangered bees.

11Hire professionals if you can't get rid of the bumble bees.

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Co-authored bySteve Downsand Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: January 24, 2024Fact Checked

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Bumble bees are top pollinators and they're pretty cute, but if you or a loved one has an allergy, bumble bees can be problematic. Instead of exterminating the bees with harsh insecticides, try natural solutions using things you probably already have around your home. If you change the habitat, bumble bees usually move on pretty quickly. Here are some effective strategies listed from gentlest to harshest to get you started!

1

Remove leaves and loose brush.

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  1. Bumble bees like soft nesting spaces, so clear out leaves and debris. They also dislike sunny, hot spaces, so pulling up weeds or raking leaves can remove some of the shade that's protecting them. They'll move on if it's too sunny.[1]

    • Bumble bees nest underground, so you may not spot their actual nests—you may see holes that are their entrance tunnels. These are around 12 inch (1.3cm) in diameter. If the bees are nesting underneath decks or patios, you might see a nest—it looks like a waxy clump of debris.
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2

Block up the entrance holes to their nests.

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  1. Fill the holes with soil if they're nesting in the ground. Pack down the soil so they can't easily get in and out. If they're nesting under your shed or deck and coming up through a hole in the wood, use putty to seal the hole.[2]

    • The bees under your shed or deck will probably find a new way to get in and out, so keep looking for them after you've sealed their hole since you may need to block their new entrance.

3

Re-route the nest entrances.

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  1. Insert 1 inch (2.5cm) flexible tubing into the nest entrance. Then, you can direct the tube wherever you want the bees to come and go. For instance, if you've got a nest right next to your patio and you want the bees to be farther away, use long tubing and snake it along the side of your patio so the end is on an unused side of your house.[3]

    • Place a few pot plants, pebbles, or flowers around the new entrance so the bumble bees can use these as landmarks. They'll remember that this is the new entrance so they'll avoid the original entrance.
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4

Soak the ground with water.

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  1. Turn on your sprinklers or use a hose to saturate the ground. Bumble bees are a type of ground bee which means they dig through loose soil to make their nests underground. When you flood their nests with water the bees will either drown or move somewhere drier.[4]

    • You may need to do this every few days until the bumble bees are gone.

5

Remove birdhouses that have bees' nests.

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  1. Seal the bird box with a sponge and take down the birdhouse. Wait until the evening to move the birdhouse that has the bees' nest in it—that way they'll all be back inside. Push a piece of flexible foam sponge into the entrance hole so the bees can't fly out. Then, take the birdhouse down and at least 12mi (0.80km) away.[5] Remove the sponge the next day so the bees will fly out when they're active.

    • Bees won't fly at night, which is why you have to wait until the next day to remove the sponge. If it's too much of a hassle to go back and get the birdhouse, contact a professional pest control company to transfer the bees from the birdhouse to a colony.[6]
    • Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants that you've tucked into your socks. Then, pop on a pair of gloves before you stop up the birdhouse.[7]
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6

Spray soapy water on the nest.

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  1. Combine 14 cup (59ml) of liquid soap with 1USgal (3.8L) of water. You can use liquid laundry detergent or liquid dish soap. Just stir it into the water until it's dissolved and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the bees' nesting area at night when they're more likely to be there. The soap will kill the bumble bees by dehydrating them.[8]

    • Repeat this every few days until the bees are gone.

7

Mix a vinegar repellent for a natural option.

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  1. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts of water and vinegar. Screw the lid on and shake the bottle to combine the mixture. Then, spray it on the area where you've seen the bees. Do it at night when they're more likely to be in their nests. The strong vinegar smell may drive them away.[9][10]

    • You can use any type of vinegar you have—white, apple cider, even red wine vinegar!
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8

Make a citrus solution for a gentle repellent.

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  1. Simmer citrus juice and zest with water for 10 minutes. Fill a small pot with water and add the juice and peel of 1 or 2 citrus fruits like oranges or lemons. Then, simmer the mixture over medium heat for 10 minutes to release the oil in the fruit. Let the citrus repellent cool completely before you pour it into a spray bottle and spray the bees' nesting area. Since they dislike the strong smell, they'll leave the area.[11]

    • Wait until the evening when the bumble bees are back in their nests before you spray. Wear protective clothing when you do this so you don't get stung.
    • Repeat this every day until the bees move on.

9

Mix a repellent with soap and essential oils for a fragrant deterrent.

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  1. Fill a spray bottle with water and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Then, add a few drops each of clove, peppermint, and cinnamon or orange essential oil.[12] Screw on the lid and shake it really well before you spray the area where you've seen the bumble bees. This could be anywhere around your yard along with the ground where they're nesting.[13]

    • Bumble bees dislike these strong scents so they'll quickly move along.
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Avoid disturbing endangered bees.

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  1. It's illegal to kill the rusty-patched bumble bee species. You've probably heard that bee populations are in decline, especially the rusty-patched bumble bees. These are protected under the Endangered Species Act so you must have a permit to remove their nests. Rust-patched bumble bees are found in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the U.S.[14]

    • Rusty-patched bumble bees look like regular bumble bees, but they have a rusty-red patch on the middle of their back.

11

Hire professionals if you can't get rid of the bumble bees.

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  1. Contact a pest control company to see if they'll remove bumble bees.[15] Ask the local company if they relocate bumble bees or if they exterminate them. If they exterminate, they'll probably need to dig deep into the ground to remove the complex nest structure.[16]

    • It may cost a few hundred dollars to get professional bumble bee removal. If you want to do this, call the company as soon as you notice the bees so it will be easier to remove them.
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    What are the top safety tips you have for getting away from a bee attack?

    Steve Downs
    Live Bee Removal Specialist

    Steve Downs is a Live Honey Bee Removal Specialist, Honey bee Preservationist, and the Owner of Beecasso Live Bee Removal Inc, a licensed bee removal and relocation business based in the Los Angeles, California metro area. Steve has over 20 years of humane bee capturing and bee removal experience for both commercial and residential locations. Working with beekeepers, agriculturalists, and bee hobbyists, Steve sets up bee hives throughout the Los Angeles area and promotes the survival of bees. He has a passion for honeybee preservation and has created his own Beecasso sanctuary where rescued bee hives are relocated and preserved.

    Steve Downs

    Live Bee Removal Specialist

    Expert Answer

    The number one thing is don't panic. Get as far away from the hive as fast as you can, since the bees will generally head back to the hive once the threat (you) are far enough away. Try your best not to swat at them, or squash them on your skin or body as this will release more pheromones onto your skin, and the remaining bees will attack further.

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      Tips

      • If you choose to just let the bees use their nests until they die, usually within a few months, put up a rope or fence around the area to keep people away from the bumble bees' activity.[17]

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      Warnings

      • Never pour gasoline or bleach into the bumble bees' nests. It's a flammable hazard that also poisons your soil.

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      About This Article

      11 Ways to Get Rid of Bumble Bees - wikiHow (40)

      Co-authored by:

      Steve Downs

      Live Bee Removal Specialist

      This article was co-authored by Steve Downs and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Steve Downs is a Live Honey Bee Removal Specialist, Honey bee Preservationist, and the Owner of Beecasso Live Bee Removal Inc, a licensed bee removal and relocation business based in the Los Angeles, California metro area. Steve has over 20 years of humane bee capturing and bee removal experience for both commercial and residential locations. Working with beekeepers, agriculturalists, and bee hobbyists, Steve sets up bee hives throughout the Los Angeles area and promotes the survival of bees. He has a passion for honeybee preservation and has created his own Beecasso sanctuary where rescued bee hives are relocated and preserved. This article has been viewed 68,525 times.

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      Co-authors: 8

      Updated: January 24, 2024

      Views:68,525

      Categories: Bee and Wasp Control

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      11 Ways to Get Rid of Bumble Bees - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      What is the best deterrent for bumble bees? ›

      Citronella plants and oils can be used to deter bees so it makes sense that burning citronella candles would also work. These candles are easy to use and can be found at most grocery or hardware stores. They are effective against bees, wasps, and mosquitoes and work up to a certain range.

      What kills bumble bees instantly? ›

      You can use liquid laundry detergent or liquid dish soap. Just stir it into the water until it's dissolved and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the bees' nesting area at night when they're more likely to be there. The soap will kill the bumble bees by dehydrating them.

      How to make bumble bees go away? ›

      The use of vinegar spray in your yard and garden is a great way to get rid of bumble bees. You'll need to protect yourself when applying it. To avoid getting stung by bees, simply mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray can and spray it over the nest at night.

      Does white vinegar get rid of bees? ›

      Household solutions to shooing away bees for good

      Consider filling an empty spray bottle with a homemade vinegar solution of equal parts water and vinegar for an instant bee deterrent. Spray this in areas where you frequently see the flying insects to keep them away. Vinegar isn't the only substance that bees dislike.

      What do bees hate the most? ›

      Bees also have a distaste for lavender oil, citronella oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, lemon, and lime. These are all topical defenses you can add to your skin to keep bees away. Unlike other flying insects, bees are not attracted to the scent of humans; they are just curious by nature.

      Do dryer sheets keep bees away? ›

      Bees and wasps hate the smell of a dryer sheet and will stay far away from it. Spread a few sheets around your back patio or wherever you're having a get-together to keep the area pest-free.

      How to keep bumble bees away from porch? ›

      What can you put outside to keep the bees away? To keep bees away, add bee-deterring plants and decor with strong smells that bees find unpleasant. Some of these off-putting scents include mint, eucalyptus, thyme, and vinegar. You can also hang mothballs outside to keep the bees away.

      Does vinegar work on bumble bees? ›

      How to Get Rid of Bees with Vinegar. Vinegar is a great solution for deterring bees. Unlike chemical deterrents, vinegar doesn't contain any harsh substances, and it doesn't harm most plants. To make a homemade vinegar solution, mix together equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle.

      What do bumble bees not like? ›

      Along with eucalyptus and mint, bumblebees dislike peppermint, garlic, vinegar, and cucumber. These don't only need to be planted.

      How do I get rid of bees permanently? ›

      The quickest way to get rid of bees is by applying pesticides directly to nests. You can either use consumer-grade sprays and powders or can hire professional exterminators to kill the bees and remove their nests.

      How do you encourage bees to leave? ›

      5 Methods of Bee Removal Without Killing Them
      1. Smoke. Smoke is probably the most effective way of getting honey bees away from your home and keeping them away. ...
      2. Garlic Spray. ...
      3. Citronella. ...
      4. Peppermint. ...
      5. Cinnamon. ...
      6. Classic Pest Control and Insulation.

      How to find a bumble bee nest? ›

      They often nest underground, in tree cavities, in stone walls, or under vegetation on the ground surface. A nest is often detected when someone notices a steady stream of bumble bees flying in and out of the same area.

      How to get rid of bumble bees without killing them? ›

      Try essential oils. To get rid of bumble bees naturally, essential oils are quite effective. Some essential oils, like those of peppermint, cinnamon, clove, and citrus repel bees.

      What kills bees on contact? ›

      Using Water. Warm water, particularly when combined with a mild detergent, can be an effective method to deal with certain types of bee infestations. This approach is most suitable for dealing with ground bees or bees that have nested within the walls of your home.

      What can I spray to keep bees away? ›

      Peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, and lemongrass may have certain properties that repel bees. Essential oils can be used in a variety of formats when mixed with water and witch hazel. Some people like to mix a few drops with water and apply their natural perfume with a spray bottle, while others prefer a rollerball.

      How do I keep bumble bees away from my porch? ›

      Bees are deterred by a number of common herbs, and will not come near areas where these herbs (and their potent smells) are present. Bee-deterring herbs include peppermint, cinnamon, vanilla, and garlic. So, consider putting a few peppermint plants or cinnamon sticks around your picnic area or outdoor patio.

      Why are there so many bumble bees around my house? ›

      Even if they haven't set up a nest in your yard, you may see plenty of bumblebees if you have flowering plants or herbs in your landscaping beds or garden. Bumblebees collect pollen from plants like chives, coneflowers, spearmint, sedum, and nasturtiums or from weeds like dandelions.

      What is a natural way to repel bees? ›

      Neem, Mint, Citronella, Eucalyptus, and Cloves are some of the most common and effective ways to repel bees. They are easy to grow in pots and don't require a lot of maintenance. Bee repellents such as marigold and germanium can also be a very effective way to keep them at bay.

      What plant keeps bumble bees away? ›

      Geraniums can be helpful in repelling bees, particularly red geraniums, as bees cannot see the color red. It may seem counterintuitive that a flower would repel bees, but these flowers contain little to no pollen and have a scent that the stinging pest does not particularly like.

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