Bees buzzing around your home can quickly turn a peaceful day into a stressful situation. While these helpful insects play an important role in nature, nobody wants them building hives near their family or pets. Learning how to get rid of bees safely protects everyone while keeping these valuable pollinators alive when possible.
Getting rid of bees requires the right approach depending on your situation. Some methods work better for small problems, while others handle major infestations. The key is choosing a safe method that won’t put anyone at risk.
1. Call a Professional Beekeeper or Pest Control Service
The smartest way to handle most bee problems is calling in the experts. Professional beekeepers know exactly how to get rid of bees without anyone getting hurt. Many will remove bee swarms for free or very little money because they want the bees for their own hives.
Statistics show that 20% of people who try removing bees themselves end up getting injured. Professional pest control companies have the right equipment and experience to handle dangerous situations safely. They also carry insurance in case something goes wrong.
When should you call a professional? Any time bees have built a hive inside walls, attics, or other hard to reach places. Also call the pros if you see aggressive bees that chase people or if anyone in your family is allergic to bee stings.
Getting rid of bees through professionals costs between $150 and $500 on average. Many beekeepers charge much less or even work for free when they can save the bees.
2. Use Smoking Methods to Drive Bees Away
Smoke works as one of the most effective natural ways to move bees along. When bees smell smoke, they think there’s a forest fire nearby. This triggers their natural instinct to leave the area and find a safer home.
To use this method safely, build a small smoky fire under the beehive using cardboard and dry wood. The key word here is “safely.” Never get too close to the hive and always have an escape route planned. Move away immediately after starting the fire because agitated bees become much more likely to sting.
Professional beekeepers use special smokers during hive inspections. The smoke calms the bees and blocks their alarm signals. This same principle works for getting rid of bees from unwanted locations around your home.
Remember that smoke only works temporarily unless the bees decide to relocate completely. You might need to repeat this process several times before they give up and move somewhere else.
3. Apply Essential Oil Repellents
Essential oils provide a gentle way to keep bees away without harming them. Bees have very sensitive noses, so strong scents can convince them to stay away from certain areas.
The most effective oils for bee control include peppermint, eucalyptus, clove, and tea tree. Mix a few drops of any of these oils with water in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture around doorways, windows, and outdoor seating areas where you want to keep bees away.
For an extra strong repellent, combine liquid soap, peppermint oil, cinnamon, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. This mixture creates multiple scents that bees really dislike. The water evaporates and leaves behind the strong smells that keep working for several days.
You can also soak cotton balls in essential oils and place them near entry points to your home. This method works especially well for keeping bees from coming through windows or doors.
4. Create Soapy Water Solutions
Soapy water can stop bees quickly when mixed correctly. The soap reduces water’s surface tension, which lets the mixture get into the tiny breathing holes that bees use. This makes it hard for them to breathe and fly properly.
Mix one part dish soap with four parts water in a spray bottle. Make sure every bee gets completely covered with the soapy mixture for it to work. This method also works against wasps and other flying insects.
Keep in mind that soapy water doesn’t work instantly. You’ll need protective clothing because bees might still be able to sting for a short time after being sprayed. Never spray bees directly unless you’re wearing proper protection and have a safe way to escape.
This approach works best for small groups of bees that you can see clearly. It’s not practical for large hives or bees hidden inside walls or other structures.
5. Plant Natural Bee Repelling Vegetation
Certain plants act as natural bee repellents when grown around your property. These plants create a defensive barrier that keeps bees away from areas where you spend time outdoors.
Plants that naturally repel bees include mint, citronella, eucalyptus, cloves, wormwood, geraniums, basil, cucumber, marigolds, and pennyroyal. Most of these plants have strong scents that bees prefer to avoid.
Red flowers work particularly well for keeping carpenter bees away. Unlike other types of bees, carpenter bees seem to really dislike red colored blooms. Planting red geraniums or other red flowering plants can help protect wooden structures.
Consider where you place these plants carefully. Put them near patios, decks, and doorways where you want to keep bees away. You can grow most of these plants in pots if you prefer not to change your permanent landscaping.
6. Install Physical Barriers and Exclusion Methods
Sometimes the best defense against bees is simply blocking their access to problem areas. Physical barriers work especially well for preventing future bee problems after you’ve removed an existing hive.
One method called “one-way bee escape removal” can work for bees inside walls. This process takes about two to three months but lets bees leave without being able to return. It requires careful attention to detail and multiple visits to complete properly.
After removing any bee colony, sealing up entry points becomes critical. Bees often return to the same locations if they can still get inside. Fill holes and cracks with expanding foam insulation to prevent future infestations.
This method works best when combined with other approaches. Getting rid of bees often requires both removing the current problem and preventing them from coming back to the same spot.
7. Use Vacuum Removal for Small Infestations
A regular household vacuum can remove small groups of bees safely and easily. This method keeps you at a safe distance while collecting the bees for relocation somewhere else.
Remove the vacuum’s brush attachment and use just the hose to suck up the bees. Your risk of getting stung stays very low because you can maintain distance from the insects. Turn off the vacuum immediately after collecting all visible bees.
The great thing about this approach is that it doesn’t kill the bees. You can take the vacuum bag or container to a local beekeeper who will gladly take them. You can also release them in a wooded area far from your home.
This technique only works for bees you can see and reach easily. Don’t try to vacuum bees from inside walls, high up places, or large established hives. Those situations need professional help for everyone’s safety.
8. Apply Citronella and Natural Deterrents
Citronella ranks as one of the most effective natural bee repellents available. This natural oil confuses bees’ sensitive sense of smell and makes them want to avoid treated areas.
You can use citronella in several different ways. Light citronella candles around outdoor dining areas. Spray citronella oil mixed with water around bee problem areas. Place citronella plants in pots near doorways and windows.
For active bee colonies, place citronella sticks or spray the oil near their hive entrance. The strong scent makes the bees feel threatened and encourages them to relocate over time. This process might take several days of consistent application.
Combine citronella with smoking methods for even better results. The two approaches work together to convince stubborn bee colonies that they should find a new home somewhere else.
9. Remove Food Sources and Attractions
Bees visit your property because they find something attractive there. Removing these attractions helps convince them to look elsewhere for what they need.
Keep all food and drinks covered when eating outside. Clean up spills and crumbs right away because sweet substances attract bees quickly. Use cups with lids for beverages, especially sugary drinks that bees love.
Remove fallen fruit from trees and bushes before it starts rotting. Standing water also attracts bees, so empty containers that collect rainwater. Fix leaky outdoor faucets and remove other water sources when possible.
If you have flowering plants that seem to attract lots of bees, consider moving them farther from your outdoor living spaces. You don’t have to remove them completely, just relocate them where bees won’t bother people.
10. Consider Professional Extermination as Last Resort
Sometimes how to get rid of bees requires stronger measures, especially when safety becomes a serious concern. Professional extermination should only be considered when other methods won’t work or when dealing with dangerous bee species.
Certain situations call for extermination rather than relocation. Africanized honey bees pose serious safety risks because they attack in large numbers and chase people for long distances. Bees inside wall spaces sometimes can’t be removed alive without major structural damage.
Professional exterminators use special insecticide dusts designed specifically for bee control. These products work inside wall voids and other enclosed spaces where bees often build hives. Complete removal of dead bees and honeycomb becomes essential after extermination to prevent attracting other pests.
Keep in mind that some states protect certain bee species by law. Killing protected bees without proper permits can result in serious fines. Always check local regulations before choosing extermination over relocation methods.
Safety First When Getting Rid of Bees
Getting rid of bees safely should always be the top priority. Bees in large numbers can be extremely dangerous, and even people without allergies can have serious reactions to multiple stings.
Never attempt bee removal without proper protective gear. Professional beekeepers wear full suits with veils, gloves, and sealed clothing for good reason. Seventy-eight people die from bee stings each year in the United States.
Some bee colonies are gentle and rarely sting, while others will chase people for miles when disturbed. You can’t tell the difference just by looking at them. This unpredictability makes professional removal the safest choice for most situations.
When in doubt, call for help. The small cost of professional service is nothing compared to the potential medical bills and danger of DIY removal gone wrong. Getting rid of bees is one area where it really pays to let the experts handle the job.
