Bees are valuable insects in the ecosystem. They pollinate flowers and ensure a balance between wild seed production, dispersion, and propagation. Furthermore, they produce honey which has health benefits for humans.
However, as much as bees can be essential to the environment, they can also be a nuisance if not controlled. For instance, you risk severe stings from several bees in your compound. Your pets, kids, and other family members are also at risk whenever they are outside.
But in this article, you will learn how to use wasp spray, vinegar, and other home remedies to deal with bees permanently.
Will Wasp Spray Kill Bees?
Wasps and bees are in the same insect category. So, using wasp spray can also be an effective solution to killing bees. But you need to remember that wasp sprays are available in different brands. So, you must always use a brand that guarantees effective results.
Spraying bees with wasp spray is a practical approach to dealing with bee infestation around the home. Most of these wasp sprays are effective because they contain petroleum distillates, Cypermethrin, Prallethrin, and other solutions that affect the bees’ respiratory system.
You are, however, advised to use wasp spray early in the morning or late in the evening when the bees are less active. Also, you should stay a few meters from the nest to avoid attack from the agitated colony.
Wasp sprays are instantaneous and will leave behind a fragrance that bees do not like. So, they will always repel from an area of smelling wasp spray. Also, they will not build another hive for a while.
Why You Should Avoid Using Wasp Spray?
Sometimes, un-recommended wasp spray might affect the environment, plants, and cause skin rashes. Equally, some brands might be poisonous or harmful when inhaled. This means that you must always ventilate any room if you want to use indoor wasp spray.
As much as wasp sprays are effective in killing bees, hornets, and wasps, most of these sprays contain pyrethroids and other active ingredients, which can be toxic to human skin or pet fur upon slight contact. These chemicals can also cause stomach upset and pain if you accidentally consume contaminated food.
Consequently, a wasp spray smell can cause life-threatening breathing complications if accidentally inhaled. Sensitive dogs, cats, and other pets might also get seizures if they inhale or get into contact with the spray.
In the garden, wasp spray can cause severe damage to plant leaves. The chemical compounds in wasp sprays are always active for three weeks and might damage plant structure.
As a homeowner, you must follow the instructions whenever you use the spray to avoid contamination of food, water, and plant.
Will Wasp Spray kill Carpenter Bees?
Yes. Wasp spray will kill carpenter bees. However, it is not the most effective remedy to use if you want to deal with a severe invasion. Remember that carpenter bees can be resistant to several home remedies. Using carpenter bee spray guarantees effective results.
Carpenter bees can cause havoc on the deck and other wooden foundations. So, you must have a quick solution to deal with them. Using wasp spray is one option for minor invasion because it usually clogs the carpenter bees’ spiracles and interferes with their respiratory system, killing them within seconds.
However, you should use more persistent carpenter bees insecticides and sprays for more extensive invasions because most of them guarantee actual results.
What is the Best thing to kill Bees?
The best thing to kill bees will depend on the remedy you have at home. Vinegar is a natural & cheap solution but very effective in killing bees. Besides, it does not harm the environment. Raid wasp and hornet spray is another quick solution you should use according to instructions.
Remember that eco-friendly insecticides will not damage the environment, plants, or pets at home. They are also among the most effective methods you should try. Raid spray is effective because only a tiny dose guarantees successful outcomes.
If you prefer vinegar, remember to get close to the hive to spray it directly on them. Hence, a health risk.
Does Vinegar kill Bees?
Yes. Vinegar is toxic and will kill bees instantaneously if used correctly. You can use any form of vinegar, including apple cider vinegar, horticultural vinegar, or rice wine vinegar. Pour enough vinegar mixed with water into a spray bottle and spray it on the bees. The acetic acid will burn the bee’s skin, killing it instantly.
Vinegar is a standard pantry solution with many uses at home. It is a natural and cost-effective repellent you can use at home. Most homeowners consider using it to clean surfaces and repel pesky insects. So, it also repels bees if used correctly. It also kills different bee species like honey bees, ground bees, bumblebees, and carpenter bees. You must wear appropriate clothing, exposing no skin part, if you want to attack a bee hive head-on.
Spray the vinegar directly on the hive and watch the reaction. The vinegar smell will disorient other bees and drive them off your garden.
How long does Vinegar take to Kill Bees?
It does not take long. Concerted vinegar kills bees instantaneously. That’s not all, mixing vinegar with dishwashing solution or water will also get the job done, but it takes several minutes for you to notice any effects.
- Mix one part water with three or four parts vinegar in a spray bottle. The water will enhance the volume of the solution (if you want to deal with severe invasion)
- Shake the bottle and spray on the bees to ensure direct contact
- Spray the solution in regular intervals to avoid attack from the entire bee colony
Here is a video with more instructions on killing bees with vinegar and water.
Note: You should not use concentrated vinegar in the garden because it can affect plant growth. Also, the after smell of vinegar will camouflage the scent of flowers, and bees will not come to pollinate your flowers anymore. In its place, use plant-friendly solutions (containing vinegar) to repel bee invasion.
How to Get Rid of Bees?
You can use several methods to get rid of bees if you do not have vinegar. Calling a beekeeper or pest control expert, using mothballs, cinnamon, peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, or using other natural remedies guarantees effective results within minutes.
Getting rid of bees instead of killing them is wise because these insects are essential to the ecosystem. If you are keen enough, you might realize that most bee species (like the honey bees and mining bees) are harmless and do not have a stinger. The other species with a stinger might counterattack you unless provoked or threatened. So, you should know how to get rid of the bees without killing or annoying them.
Here are several ways you can use to repel bees at home.
Smoke
Smoke is among the most famous methods homeowners use to get rid of bees. This method is effective in repelling honey bees.
Create a smoky fire with dry firewood and paper under the beehive, and stay away because the bees will get agitated and try to attack you.
Peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon
- Add enough soapy water in a spray bottle and a pinch of peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon.
- The mixture should not be concentrated because you would rather repel than kill them.
- Do not spray directly on the bees to kill them, but in all the areas that you do not want them.
Garlic
Garlic is another natural remedy that repels bees. Usually, most bees do not like the pungent smell of garlic. So you can use it near the hive.
Sprinkle garlic powder near the hive or close to spots you might have noticed bee activity to repel them. Do not sprinkle the powder directly on them because it can be fatal.
Citronella candles
The smell of citronella will camouflage the smell bees love. You can burn citronella candles to keep bees away from your compound.
Bee repelling plant
Plant and grow marigold, mint, eucalyptus, or citronella flowers in your garden to repel bees. The pungent smell of bee-repelling plants should repel the bees.
Citrus
Make citrus spray using citrus fruit slices & warm water and spray near the bee colony. Bees will not like the smell. Hence, look for other spots to build a home.
- You can either use lemon, lime, grapefruit, or orange
- Boil water and add the ingredients you prefer
- Let the solution cool, and pour enough of it into a spray bottle
Bee traps
Bee traps come in various shapes and designs for different types of bees. But you can make a DIY bee trap using readily available material at home. Though, you should not use a lure that kills them.
Conclusion
Bees are significant insects for many reasons. They are a food source for predators like flycatchers, bee-eater birds, honey buzzards, shrikes, bears, badgers, raccoons, and skunks. However, they can also be a nuisance if unmanaged.
This guide looks at how you can use different home remedies and commercial products to deal with bee infestation at home. Use any technique you prefer today.