Home Remedies to Get Rid of Bees & Wasps

Although most bees and wasps are harmless, they can sometimes become a nuisance if they take up residence too close to your house or garden. It's best to get rid of the unwanted visitors by natural means and to forgo using strong insecticides that will kill not only pests but beneficial insects as well. Chemicals are especially dangerous if you have pets or young children that play in the area.

Removal of Bee Hives

Call a beekeeper and ask her to move unwanted beehives to a safer location. This is especially important with honeybees, which are becoming scarce and are important pollinators. Honeybees are small (about ½ inch) and furry looking. They are gentle unless threatened. EBeeHoney provides an interactive map to help you locate beekeepers in your area.

Identification of Wasps and Hornets

Identify the type of wasp before you attempt to get rid of it. Yellow jackets have yellow-and-black-striped bodies and legs that hang down as they fly. Paper wasps look like yellow jackets, except they are larger and their yellow-and-black markings aren't as vivid. Hornets are black with small ivory patches. Although paper wasps are usually gentle, hornets and yellow jackets can be aggressive.

Removal of Wasp and Hornet Nests

Get rid of an in-ground yellow jacket nest by placing a clear bowl, open end down, over the hole. Watch closely because there may be more than one hole, and all of them will need to be covered. If you work the bowl partly into the ground, the yellow jackets will be unable to crawl out around the edges. The trapped yellow jackets will die when they run out of food and water. Wasp nests that hang from trees or building eaves or in walls should be removed by a professional.

Prevention

Prevent bees and wasps from becoming a problem inside your home. Inspect your house closely and seal any holes will allow entrance to wasps and bees. Patch torn screens in doors and windows and fill any gaps around casings. In warm weather, close fireplace dampers. Cover garbage cans tightly and don't invite bees and wasps by leaving food exposed. Pick up any picnic food, juice glasses and soda pop cans. Cover compost bins and pick up fruit that falls from trees. Pick up uneaten pet food.

References

• Ebeehoney.com
• Gardening Know How
• Natural Wasp Control

Resources

• Find a Beekeeper in Your Area