Many Michigan homeowners search for natural methods to get rid of bees, especially during warmer months when bee activity ramps up. But before we jump into home remedies, let’s clear something up: not everything that flies and stings is a bee.
A lot of what people call “bees” are yellow jackets or wasps, which are more aggressive and behave differently. This article focuses on bees, including carpenter bees, bumblebees, and ground bees, not wasps or hornets.
Now, let’s be clear: while these methods can help discourage bees from settling in the first place, they won’t stop an active infestation.
That’s why we always recommend calling trained exterminators like us at Pest Pros of Michigan for anything beyond light deterrence.
But we’ll walk you through five natural strategies homeowners try, and our professional take on how effective they really are.
Key Takeaways
- Peppermint oil and other strong smells can help a little, but won’t stop bees already nesting in structures.
- Citronella candles and bee-repelling plants offer minor relief, but won’t solve anything if bees are already moving in.
- Garlic spray and homemade traps don’t fix nests and can lead to more bees or painful stings.
- A pest control company can remove bees safely and recommend calling us instead of trying risky or temporary home fixes.
1. Peppermint Oil and Other Strong-Smelling Essential Oils
Peppermint oil is one of the most popular ingredients in DIY natural bee repellent recipes. It has a strong smell that can bother stinging insects, especially when mixed with water and sprayed near eaves, soffits, and deck furniture.
Some folks add other oils like eucalyptus or citrus to give it more kick.
While this hasn’t been proven to work on all types of bees, certain essential oils, like peppermint, clove, geranium, and lemongrass, have been shown to keep yellow jackets and other wasps away.
These results don’t mean the same oils will always work on bees, but they suggest strong scents can make some areas less inviting.
That said, if carpenter bees have already bored into your deck, or a bee colony has moved into your siding, a few sprays won’t solve the problem.
2. Citronella Candles and Bee-Repelling Plants
You’ve probably seen citronella candles used to keep mosquitoes away, but their strong scent can bother bees, too. Some folks around Kalamazoo or Grand Rapids use them during backyard meals to help keep bees from hovering too close.
While it doesn’t work every time, it may help discourage bees from certain areas.
In fact, researchers found that when bees were given sugar water mixed with citronella, they avoided it altogether. That tells us bees don’t like the smell much and will steer clear when they can.
Adding bee-repelling plants like marigolds near patios and decks can also help.
While these won’t fix an active bee infestation, they can be part of a seasonal plan, especially to keep ground bees or bumblebees from nesting in soft soil.
3. Garlic Spray and Garlic Powder at Entry Points
A homemade garlic spray is another home remedy Michigan residents sometimes try. The idea is to create an environment with a strong scent that bees don’t like.
Garlic cloves are blended with water and left to steep overnight, then sprayed around nesting sites or vulnerable wood surfaces.
Some DIYers even sprinkle garlic powder along porch railings or deck boards.
While this method might discourage bee species sensitive to odor, it won’t be enough to remove a beehive, which are common in wall voids and underground burrows across Southwest Michigan.
4. Avoid DIY Bee Traps: Here’s Why They Backfire
Many online videos promote DIY bee traps made from soda bottles, sugar water, or vinegar. These traps may catch a few foragers, but they won’t fix the root cause, which is usually a nearby bee nest or wasp nest.
In some cases, these traps attract even more bees by acting as a food source. You also risk catching protected honeybees, which are beneficial insects that should be relocated by a local beekeeper rather than harmed.
Attempting to kill bees with homemade traps is risky, ineffective, and could result in painful bee stings or worse if you provoke a colony.
5. Natural Sounds and Vibrations to Deter Carpenter Bees
If you’ve noticed holes in your wood siding, railings, or deck, there’s a good chance carpenter bees are tunneling in.
One trick we’ve seen floating around online is playing loud music or sounds to scare them off. Some folks even try using vibrations or sound devices to make the area uncomfortable for bees.
There is some science behind it. Honeybees have been shown to react to certain sounds, especially the ones that remind them of predators.
But carpenter bees are different.
They’re solitary, stubborn, and if they’ve already laid eggs in the tunnel, sound alone isn’t going to stop them from coming back.
We’ve also seen things like mothballs suggested online, but those aren’t safe around kids or pets, and they don’t solve the problem.
That’s where we come in.
We handle bee problems safely and make sure they don’t come back.
Need Help with a Bee Problem in Michigan? Call Pest Pros Today
Trying to get rid of bees with natural methods might hold off a few foragers, but when you’re facing an active bee problem, the safest route is calling professionals.
At Pest Pros of Michigan, we offer full-service pest control services in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and surrounding areas. We’re equipped to identify the types of bees you’re dealing with, locate hidden nests, and recommend the safest approach.
We don’t treat honeybees unless they pose a safety risk, and in those rare cases, we’ll follow proper removal protocol or refer you to a beekeeper.
For hornets, wasps, and carpenter bees, we offer complete solutions, including treatment for structures up to 25 feet high and those hard-to-reach nesting sites inside siding, walls, or eaves.
Call us today for expert bee removal and stinging insect control, done the right way, the first time.
