Bumble bees are top pollinators and they're pretty cute, but if you or a loved one has an allergy, bumble bees can be problematic. Instead of exterminating the bees with harsh insecticides, try natural solutions using things you probably already have around your home. If you change the habitat, bumble bees usually move on pretty quickly. Here are some effective strategies listed from gentlest to harshest to get you started!

1

Remove leaves and loose brush.

  1. Bumble bees like soft nesting spaces, so clear out leaves and debris. They also dislike sunny, hot spaces, so pulling up weeds or raking leaves can remove some of the shade that's protecting them. They'll move on if it's too sunny.[1]
    • Bumble bees nest underground, so you may not spot their actual nests—you may see holes that are their entrance tunnels. These are around 12 inch (1.3 cm) in diameter. If the bees are nesting underneath decks or patios, you might see a nest—it looks like a waxy clump of debris.
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3

Re-route the nest entrances.

  1. Insert 1 inch (2.5 cm) flexible tubing into the nest entrance. Then, you can direct the tube wherever you want the bees to come and go. For instance, if you've got a nest right next to your patio and you want the bees to be farther away, use long tubing and snake it along the side of your patio so the end is on an unused side of your house.[3]
    • Place a few pot plants, pebbles, or flowers around the new entrance so the bumble bees can use these as landmarks. They'll remember that this is the new entrance so they'll avoid the original entrance.
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5

Remove birdhouses that have bees' nests.

  1. Seal the bird box with a sponge and take down the birdhouse. Wait until the evening to move the birdhouse that has the bees' nest in it—that way they'll all be back inside. Push a piece of flexible foam sponge into the entrance hole so the bees can't fly out. Then, take the birdhouse down and at least 12 mi (0.80 km) away.[5] Remove the sponge the next day so the bees will fly out when they're active.
    • Bees won't fly at night, which is why you have to wait until the next day to remove the sponge. If it's too much of a hassle to go back and get the birdhouse, contact a professional pest control company to transfer the bees from the birdhouse to a colony.[6]
    • Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants that you've tucked into your socks. Then, pop on a pair of gloves before you stop up the birdhouse.[7]
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8

Make a citrus solution for a gentle repellent.

  1. Simmer citrus juice and zest with water for 10 minutes. Fill a small pot with water and add the juice and peel of 1 or 2 citrus fruits like oranges or lemons. Then, simmer the mixture over medium heat for 10 minutes to release the oil in the fruit. Let the citrus repellent cool completely before you pour it into a spray bottle and spray the bees' nesting area. Since they dislike the strong smell, they'll leave the area.[11]
    • Wait until the evening when the bumble bees are back in their nests before you spray. Wear protective clothing when you do this so you don't get stung.
    • Repeat this every day until the bees move on.

Expert Q&A

  • Question
    What are the top safety tips you have for getting away from a bee attack?
    Steve Downs
    Steve Downs
    Live Bee Removal Specialist
    Steve Downs is a Live Honey Bee Removal Specialist, Honey bee Preservationist, and the Owner of Beecasso Live Bee Removal Inc, a licensed bee removal and relocation business based in the Los Angeles, California metro area. Steve has over 20 years of humane bee capturing and bee removal experience for both commercial and residential locations. Working with beekeepers, agriculturalists, and bee hobbyists, Steve sets up bee hives throughout the Los Angeles area and promotes the survival of bees. He has a passion for honeybee preservation and has created his own Beecasso sanctuary where rescued bee hives are relocated and preserved.
    Steve Downs
    Live Bee Removal Specialist
    Expert Answer
    The number one thing is don't panic. Get as far away from the hive as fast as you can, since the bees will generally head back to the hive once the threat (you) are far enough away. Try your best not to swat at them, or squash them on your skin or body as this will release more pheromones onto your skin, and the remaining bees will attack further.
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Warnings

  • Never pour gasoline or bleach into the bumble bees' nests. It's a flammable hazard that also poisons your soil.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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About This Article

Steve Downs
Co-authored by:
Live Bee Removal Specialist
This article was co-authored by Steve Downs and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Steve Downs is a Live Honey Bee Removal Specialist, Honey bee Preservationist, and the Owner of Beecasso Live Bee Removal Inc, a licensed bee removal and relocation business based in the Los Angeles, California metro area. Steve has over 20 years of humane bee capturing and bee removal experience for both commercial and residential locations. Working with beekeepers, agriculturalists, and bee hobbyists, Steve sets up bee hives throughout the Los Angeles area and promotes the survival of bees. He has a passion for honeybee preservation and has created his own Beecasso sanctuary where rescued bee hives are relocated and preserved. This article has been viewed 10,419 times.
5 votes - 24%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: September 22, 2021
Views: 10,419
Categories: Bee and Wasp Control
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