How to keep bees away this summer

Key steps:

Learning how to get rid of bees naturally? Here’s a natural repellent recipe:

1. Mix liquid castile soap with water in a spray bottle.

2. Add peppermint oil, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper.

3. Spray on areas where you want to keep bees away.

Bees are incredible creatures, keeping our planet full of plants and greenery - without them, our world would be a very different place! Of course, they can also give pretty nasty stings, so a lot of people want to get rid of them. But rather than killing these useful creatures, why not do your bit for the planet and opt for natural repellents instead? We’ve got lots of remedies that’ll keep you sting-free without harming the bees, making them win-win solutions!

If you’re learning how to get rid of a bee’s nest, be sure to wear tight clothing and keep your skin covered to avoid any nasty stings!

How to get rid of bees' nest with a natural spray

Instead of harmful insecticides, opt for an all-natural spray to repel bees. Here’s how to make your own:

• Add 2-3 teaspoons of unscented pure-castile liquid soap to water, mixing together until soapy in a spray bottle.

• Add a couple of drops of peppermint oil, along with a pinch of cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

• You can also use peppermint scented castile liquid soap if available.

This simple solution will deter bees without harming them, your home, or the wildlife in your garden. Simply spray it on any areas where you don't want to find bees. You can even use it as a way of getting rid of bees' nests by spraying it around the nest once a day until the bees abandon it.

How to get rid of a beehive with garlic

Wondering how to remove bees from a beehive? You might be surprised to hear that garlic is a great natural repellent! Bees really don’t like its smell so sprinkle garlic powder on their nests to try and get them to leave. Alternatively, if you’re looking for tips on how to get rid of bees in a house, sprinkle garlic powder in spots you’ve frequently found bees in. Never put the garlic powder directly on the bees though - it can be fatal to them.

How to keep bees away from your garden

While some homes want to attract insects such as bees and butterflies to their garden - read more about this with our bee-friendly gardening tips - it's not suitable for everyone. Homes with young children or people allergic to bee stings may prefer to keep bees out of the garden entirely and there are a few common ingredients you can use for this:

• Vinegar. Place open bottles of white distilled vinegar around areas that bees are attracted to keep them away.

• Citronella candles. Mask the smells which attract bees with citronella candles. These candles look lovely when burning in the evenings but remember to follow all safety precautions.

• Marigolds. Plant marigolds to keep bees away in the summer; they give off a strong odour that bees don’t like.

There are plenty of ways to keep bees away from your home naturally, so don’t reach for harmful insecticides next time you notice a few buzzing around your yard. Keep these little creatures alive to do your bit for the planet while making sure your home stays sting-free. For help with other summer pests, learn how to keep wasps away too.