How to Kill Bees With Ivory Soap

Bees pollinate plants, resulting in the propagation of flowers, fruits and vegetables. While they perform a necessary task for the world's food sources, they also carry a death threat for those who are allergic to their painful stings. Most types of bees would prefer to be left alone to go about their business; however, there are types, such as the "Africanized" bee, that are naturally aggressive. Bees are unwelcome near our homes and where our children play. You can defend yourself and your family from bees with non-toxic pesticides, such as Ivory soap, that will not kill plants or poison children and pets.

Things You'll Need

• Ivory liquid dish soap
• Water
• Spray bottle
• Trigger spray bottle
• Garden hose
• Long sleeved white shirt
• Light colored long pants
• Gloves
• Hat with netting attached
• Long stick

Instructions

1. Mix one part Ivory dish soap to four parts water in spray bottle. Spray bees in the area when you are outside if you notice a few of them. The soap will result in their not being able to fly. They will die because they are unable to get to food and water sources. This is a good method for controlling a handful of bees in your yard or around your pool.

2. Don protective clothing to battle a larger group of bees or a hive. Choose white or light-colored clothing with a smooth texture (darker colors may aggravate bees). Wear long sleeves, long pants and preferably a hat with a net that protects the rest of your head. Wear gloves to protect your hands.

3. Find an empty Windex Outdoor brand bottle that attaches to a garden hose, or purchase this type of bottle new. These bottles have a dial that mixes the contents with the stream of water from the hose.

4. Fill the bottle 3/4 of the way with Ivory dish soap. Fill the rest with water, and shake to mix. The amounts need not be exact. Attach the bottle to your garden hose.

5. Aim the hose at the beehive in a tree or out of reach, and spray it with the soap-and-water mixture. You may need to leave and come back. You may also need to do this more than once. The soap will prevent the bees from flying, which will result in their deaths.

Tips & Warnings

• For beehives and infestations in the walls of your home, it may be best to consult with a professional exterminator. Soap may not effectively reach all of them, and you could wind up with angry bees in your home.

References

• Gardenweb.com: Natural Pesticidal and Fungicidal Recipes
• Honeybee.tamu.edu: Bees are Around My Pool, Water Faucets... What Do I Do?
• Beecontrol.org: Bee Control