How to Kill Sweat Bees

The species of sweat bees that are common in the United States are usually ¼- to ½-inch long. They are usually brown, red, metallic green or black and are often a nuisance around pool areas, where they are attracted to the salt in human perspiration. The sweat bees also foraging for water and they aren't too picky about where the water comes from. Although it's not terribly painful, sweat bees will sting you if you smack them and squash them on your flesh. This formula is quick, easy and inexpensive for you to make at home and will work as a highly effective sweat bee killer.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Liquid dish detergent
• Water
• Plastic spray bottle

1. Combine ¼ cup of liquid dish detergent with 1 pint of water.

2. Pour the bee killing mixture into a plastic spray bottle.

3. Spray any sweat bees that you notice flying around your pool. Most will die very shortly after being sprayed. Those that do not die will return to the hive and inform the others that your pool is no longer a viable water source.

4. Make yourself comfortable at poolside for an hour or two. Have your sweat bee killer close at hand, because other foraging bees will soon be there. Kill them upon their arrival.

5. Go back inside, but return to the pool every 15 minutes over the next couple of hours to patrol for more foragers.

6. Continue killing the few arriving sweat bees diligently. As foragers are increasingly lost to the hive, others will begin to locate water sources more desirable than your inhospitable pool.

Tips & Warnings

• Let someone else chase the sweat bees if you happen to have an allergy to bee venom.