How to Get Bees Out of Your Room

Keep bees where they belong -- outside.

Attracted by the sweet scents of candles, potpourri and lotions, bees often fly into open windows as they search for fragrant flowers. Once trapped inside, bees may become agitated and aggressive, putting you in danger of a painful sting. As many people are allergic to bee stings, the presence of bees may turn into a serious threat. Getting pesky bees out of your room takes a little ingenuity but will prevent potential stings.

Things You'll Need

• Sticky insect traps
• Thumbtacks or push pins
• 2-liter plastic bottle
• Utility knife
• Honey
• Sugar
• Bee and wasp spray
• Broom
• Plastic bag

Instructions

1. Suspend a number of sticky insect traps from the ceiling. Unroll the traps by pulling on the string at the top of the roll and press a thumbtack or push pin through the ribbon into the ceiling. Remove the traps and throw them in the garbage when they become full.

2. Construct a safe, nontoxic bee trap. With a utility knife, cut the top from a large 2-liter soda bottle just above the shoulder. Remove the cap and discard it. Coat the inside of the bottle spout with honey. Fill the bottom of the bottle halfway with sugar water. Invert the bottle top and place it inside the bottom half of the bottle so it creates a funnel. Tape the cut edges to attach it to the bottom half of the bottle. Bees will be attracted to the sweet scent of the honey and sugar water and fly into the trap. They will be unable to leave, fall into the water and drown. Dispose of the trap in the garbage.

3. Spray the bees with a bee and wasp spray as a final defense. Read the label carefully and use the product exactly as directed, since the spray can be extremely toxic to both people and pets. Sweep the dead bodies into a plastic bag. Dispose of the bag in a locking garbage can to prevent curious pets from ingesting pesticides.

Tips & Warnings

• Call an exterminator if you’re allergic to bees and you can't get them to leave or if your room is filled with a swarm.

References

• Earth Easy: Natural Wasp Control
• University of Minnesota Extension; Wasp and Bee Control; Jeffrey Hahn, et al.; 2008
• Illinois Department of Public Health: Bees and Wasps