How to Remove Bees

When you’re reading this post, you may not be a beekeeper or be aware of the many benefits bees bring to our ecosystem. If it’s so, and you get a honeybee comb or swarm in your house, it can create panic. That sudden buzzing sound or seeing a nest near your wall is enough to make you nervous. You might worry about getting stung or your property getting damaged, and that’s totally understandable.

But before you panic, it’s important to know that bees are helpful insects that play a role in pollination and provide us with the delicious taste of honey. They should not be killed or harmed when they want to get rid of them.

There are several harmless ways to get rid of the bees. Depending on whether you’re dealing with honeybees, yellow jackets, or carpenter bees, the removal method will vary. Plus, whether it’s a single bee or an entire colony. Many people make mistakes because they act too quickly or don’t know the safest way to handle it. Be with us until the end to learn how to remove the bees safely.

Why You Shouldn’t Kill Honeybees

Honeybees are critical pollinators for our crops and gardens. They pollinate billions of dollars of crops in the USA every year. Their populations are already in decline due to Colony Collapse Disorder and the use of certain pesticides. Spraying or killing them harms not only bees but also the environment. Therefore, it is essential not only for the bees but also for our environment and economy to avoid harming them. Whenever possible, relocate rather than exterminate.

Learn about the lifespan of bees in this detailed and informative article.

When to Remove Bees and When to Just Let Them Be

While aiming to remove the bees, first determine whether the bees are merely a nuisance or a threat to public health. Not every bee flying around means trouble. And in many cases, doing nothing is the best thing you can do. Understand the situation before you take any action.

If you see a few bees buzzing around flowers, or a small number resting on a wall or plant, that’s normal. However, the situation changes if there’s a large, active nest near doors, windows, or play areas where people frequently walk by. You should definitely take action if:

• Bees or wasps have built a nest inside your home’s structure, such as walls or attics.
• The species is aggressive, such as hornets or yellow jackets.
• Someone in your home has a serious allergy to stings.
• The nest is large, active, and too close to where people or pets spend time.

Explore the complete life cycle of bees and understand each stage of their development.

Simple and Gentle Ways to Get Bees to Move On

If the bees aren’t nesting and are just hanging around temporarily, you can often encourage them to leave on their own.

For Temporary Swarms

If a swarm has landed in your yard, don’t take any action for up to 48 hours. They may have landed for a temporary stay and shelter to take rest. At our Carter Farm, since we grow flowers and provide sugary water for our own bees that we raise, these attract wild bees searching for a new home. Within 2–3 days, after they have rested and fed, they usually move on to their actual destination without any intervention being needed. If you happen to have an empty hive box, you can place it nearby to give them a new place to settle.

For Carpenter Bees

If you notice neat, round holes in wooden areas of your home, such as decks or fences, you’re likely dealing with carpenter bees. They don’t usually sting, but they can damage wood over time.

To get them to leave:

• Try playing loud sounds or vibrations near the area, as they dislike disturbances.
• Apply peppermint or eucalyptus oil to the wood.
• Once they leave, seal or paint the wood to prevent them from coming back.

If the bees still don’t go, you can use the trapstick (check it on Amazon) for both wasps and carpenter bees.

Methods of Bee Removal Without Killing Them

You don’t need harsh chemicals to keep bees out of your outdoor spaces. In fact, some everyday items from your kitchen or pantry can do the job. Try the following options to remove them from where you don’t want them.

Smoke

Smoke can calm and drive bees away, but this method should only be used outdoors and with extreme caution. Ensure the following to use the basic smoke setup.

• Use two metal buckets, one inside the other.
• In the smaller one, make small holes in the bottom.
• Place oily rags or old clothes inside. Use about one cup of used vegetable or motor oil.
• Light the cloth until it smolders, not burns.
• Let the smoke drift toward the hive entrance to encourage bees to move.

Garlic Spray

The strong smell of garlic spray can act as a repellent to remove the bees. When you spray a light garlic solution around your porch, windows, or garden, the scent covers up the sweet smells of flowers or food that usually attract bees. This confuses them and encourages them to look for another spot instead.

Citronella

Lighting citronella candles or outdoor torches gives off a smell and light smoke that can help keep bees and other insects at bay. However, just like garlic spray, citronella works best for wandering or foraging bees, not for large or established hives. It’s a short-term fix to make a spot less appealing, not a solution for removing a full colony.

Citrus

Bees don’t like citrus scents. Try placing sliced lemons or oranges around your sitting areas, or rub citrus peels on tables and railings. This method is only effective in temporarily removing a small number of bees, not for large beehives.

Peppermint

The peppermint oil is one of the most popular natural repellents. Mix 10–15 drops of this oil with water in a spray bottle and lightly sprinkle it around areas where bees often hover. Another way we generally recommend is to soak cotton balls in the oil and keep them near picnic tables or doors.

Brown Paper Bags (Fake Nests)

Wasps and yellowjackets tend to avoid areas where other colonies may already exist. By hanging an inflated brown paper bag that looks like a hornet’s nest, you can sometimes trick them into staying away.

Cinnamon

You can use cinnamon powder by flinging small amounts directly into the nesting gap. The strong scent of the powder causes the bees to leave within a few hours. It’s been noted that cinnamon may help drive away a newly forming swarm, and sometimes it’s ineffective against an established honeybee colony.

If ground bees are causing trouble, find out the best methods for getting rid of ground bees in this article

Professional Bee Removal Services

If the above home remedies or DIY methods don’t work, local beekeepers are always at your fingertips. In Autumn, as winter approaches, bees seek safe places to protect themselves from harsh weather conditions. This can lead them to nest deep inside the walls or ceilings. Consulting professional bee removal services becomes necessary in such cases. Inexperienced attempts can lead to serious stings or structural damage.

Experienced beekeepers or pest control experts can safely remove bees and their comb, as they have specialized tools and protective gear, and can relocate the colony harmlessly. They’ll also remove wax, honey, and comb, and seal entry points to prevent reinfestation.

Sometimes, you may be unsure about whom to contact, whether a beekeeper or a pest control specialist. That’s simple: if you’re dealing with honey bees, call a beekeeper. On the other hand, if it’s wasps, hornets, or aggressive bees, contact a pest control professional. They are trained to handle dangerous insects and can suggest the safest and most humane methods to deal with the problem.

Curious about how to begin beekeeping? Read our complete guide on starting beekeeping.

Last Resort of Removing the Bees

This part deals with something no one really wants to do: killing bees. It should only be considered when the bees pose a real and immediate danger, and every other safe or humane method has already been exhausted. Killing should only be considered when there’s absolutely no other option. Even then, it should not be used for large beehives

There are very few situations where killing bees or wasps/hornets may be necessary, such as:

• When highly aggressive species like hornets or yellow jackets have nested near doors, play areas, or other busy spots.
• When nests are deep inside walls, foundations, or other hard-to-reach spots, and humane removal isn’t possible.
• When dealing with non-native or invasive species that can harm local ecosystems.
• When professionals have already tried to remove them safely but failed.

Some insecticides or sprays that can kill the bees are:

• Dust products are used for nests inside voids or walls since they spread less.
• Aerosol sprays work for visible nests but are risky to handle. One available for purchase online from Amazon is Hot Shot Insect Killer, which can kill almost any flying insect, including bees.

Soapy Water

Besides the above options, you can try soapy water or fly swatter. When you mix dish soap with water and spray it on bees, the soap breaks the water’s surface tension. This causes it to stick to the bees’ bodies and block their tiny breathing holes, resulting in suffocation. In short, it kills them fast.

After Removal: Seal and Prevent Future Nests

Once the bees or wasps are gone, they may revisit the same siding gaps year after year, so they should be sealed completely. Remove any remaining comb or debris and seal all openings and cracks in siding, vents, or soffits with caulk or mesh.