09/17/2012
Ways to keep bees away but not kill them:
Call a beekeeper in your area. Honey bees are quite rare in some areas. Some Americans are not aware that there is a great shortage of bees in several states and scientists are very alarmed at beekeepers finding most of their bees dead in their hives. Without bees, you don't get pollination and without pollination many of our food sources would dwindle away. Don't kill them, get a beekeeper to come and get them. If you want to know where the hive(s) is then just wait until just before the sun sets and follow one or two bees. They always go back to the hive by evening. The hive in some cases may not even be on your property. I've had hives around (usually in trees or by eaves)
Use a "smoker" to calm the bees down. This can also drive them away but just temporarily. This is good if the bees are visiting your yard, home or fireplace looking for food or scouting out a new place for a hive. It's harmless to birds and pets. You can purchase a bee keeping smoker online. Or just light a small smokey fire in a BBQ, smoker, or firepit. To make the fire smokey, add wet wood or wet natural fabric to an already hot fire of coals or dry wood.
Place a handful of mothballs in a knee-high sock or pantyhose of sorts. Hang it in your yard. You may need to put up more than one if it is a large area.
Putting a bowl of vinegar on the table while you are eating, keeps them away. We tried it and it definitely seemed to work.
Use plant citronella around your house. Citronella releases an odor that is pleasant to humans but extremely foul on bees and mosquitoes. The aroma of citronella plants would be able to help you get rid of bees in your backyard
Cucumber peel is another great natural pest repellent. As with citronella plants, cucumber peels release an aroma that deters most household pests, including bees. Simply scatter some cucumber peels around your backyard.
