10 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Bumble Bees [Homemade Spray & Trap]

Although bumble bees are generally peaceful insects, they can quickly become intrusive if they build a hive on your property. Bee stings are painful, and they can also lead to an allergic reaction in some people.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to get rid of bumblebees on your property to ensure safety. Using natural methods for bumblebee control on your property is always best. Therefore, we have listed some of the best natural ways to get rid of bumble bees in this article. 

How To Get Rid of Bumble Bees Naturally?

Below are10 effective natural ways to get rid of bumble bees. These methods include homemade bumble bees spray, DIY bumble bees trap, and several other homemade remedies to deter bumble bees naturally.

1. Essential oil spray

Essential oil spray

Essential oils have a strong smell that can easily repel bumble bees from your home and your garden.

If you are finding a lot of bumble bees in a certain area, you can easily treat them using an essential oil spray to keep them out.

Moreover, the essential oils can easily mask the pheromones left by previous bumble bees, which prevents more bumble bees from following them. 

Required Items:

Step by Step Process

  • In a spray bottle, combine ½ cup of isopropyl alcohol with ½ cup of water. 
  • Add 10 drops each of eucalyptus oil and lemon oil into the mixture. Close the bottle and shake the liquid to mix everything together. 
  • Wear protective gear if you want to spray the mixture on a hive to ensure that the bees can’t attack you. 
  • Spray the mixture in the areas where you see the most number of bumble bees including the hive and surrounding areas. 
  • Additionally, you can spray the mixture around your garden to repel bumble bees. 

Precautions

Make sure to wear protective clothing while using this method, since the strong smells can easily agitate the bees. 

2. Homemade Citrus spray for Bumble bees

Homemade Citrus spray for Bumble bees

Citrus is known to be an effective way to get rid of bumble bees from the garden and home.

Bumble bees do not like the strong smell of citrus, so if you use a citrus spray around the area, they will be gone within a few minutes.

You can easily make a citrus spray at home using fresh lemons and oranges.

Required Items:

  • Lemons 
  • Oranges 
  • Water
  • Spray bottle 

Step by Step Process

  • Take 2 lemons and 2 oranges and peel them. 
  • Take one cup of water and start boiling it. Put the peels in the water and squeeze the juice of the lemons and oranges into it.  
  • Let it simmer on low heat until the water boils down to half. 
  • Let the mixture cool before pouring it into a spray bottle. 
  • Spray the citrus water around your garden, focussing on the areas with the most bumble bees. 
  • You can also spray it directly on the bumblebee nest but always wear protective gear before doing so. 
  • You can also spray this mixture inside the home to ward off bumble bees from a specific area.  

Precautions

This method may not be able to ward off bumble bees permanently, so you must use it along with other methods for best results. 

3. Cinnamon as a Natural deterrent for bumble bees

Cinnamon as Natural deterrent for bumble bees

Cinnamon has a strong smell which helps repel a variety of insects including bumble bees.

Cinnamon also irritates the bumble bees if they come in contact with it, so you can use cinnamon to get rid of bumble bees from their nest.

You can also use it to prevent bumble bees from your yard. 

Required Items:

Step by Step Process

  • Always wear protective gear before you start using this method to ensure your safety. 
  • First, you must identify the bumblebee nest. It’s best if you carry out the process at night. 
  • Once you spot the nest, start sprinkling a generous amount of cinnamon on the hive and around it. 
  • Some bees may start flying out immediately. However, some bees may not be affected. 
  • Repeat the process again the next day to get rid of the rest of the bees. 

Precautions

The cinnamon powder can agitate the bees, so you should always wear protective gear before using the method. 

4. Homemade Garlic spray to keep bumble bees away

Homemade Garlic spray to keep bumble bees away

Garlic is a common ingredient in many recipes, but it is also great for warding off various insects including bumble bees.

The strong smell of garlic can easily keep bumble bees away from your garden and your home.

It is relatively easy to make a garlic spray at home using fresh garlic.

Required Items:

  • Fresh garlic
  • Water
  • Spray bottle

Step by Step Process

  • Take a whole head of garlic and put it in a blender with ½ cup of water. Blend it on high for a minute. 
  • Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth and put it in a spray bottle. 
  • Spray the garlic mixture around your garden, concentrating in the areas you see the most bumble bees. 
  • You can also spray the mixture on a hive to encourage the bees to leave. Make sure to wear protective gear before doing so. 
  • Additionally, this mixture can be used inside the home to repel any bumble bees. 

Precautions

Always wear protective gear before spraying this mixture in any bumblebee nest. 

5. Citronella candles as Bumble bee repellent

Citronella candles as Bumble bee repellent

Citronella essential oil is commonly used to repel various insects including bumble bees.

Many people like to make citronella candles to repel bumble bees from inside the home.

If you encounter a lot of bumble bees inside the home, this method can easily get rid of them. 

Required Items:

Step by Step Process

  • Take ½ cup of soy wax in a measuring cup and put it in the microwave for 20 seconds. Stir the mixture and put it back in for 20 more seconds or until it melts completely. 
  • Put 20 drops of citronella in the melted soy wax and mix it thoroughly. 
  • Attach a candlewick to the middle of the glass jar. Pour the wax mixture into the glass. 
  • Once it cools down, you can light it in a room that has a lot of bumble bees to repel them. 

Precautions

This method is only effective inside the home. So it cannot get rid of bumble bees permanently.

6. Mothballs to kill bumble bees naturally

Mothballs to kill bumble bees naturally

Mothballs are commonly used for getting rid of insects inside the home, but they can also be used for getting rid of bumble bees from your garden or yard.

Mothballs release a toxic fume that can easily kill and repel bumble bees.

You can place the mothballs in your garden and in your home to repel bumble bees effectively

Required Items:

Step by Step Process

  • Start by identifying the areas with the most bumble bees in your garden. 
  • In each of those areas, you can lay down 4 to 5 mothballs. They work the best when placed within plants and shrubs. 
  • The balls will release a toxic fume that will keep out the bees.
  • Replace the balls every 5 to 6 weeks or after they evaporate. 

Precautions

This method is temporary and may not repel all bumble bees. 

7. DIY bumble bee trap

DIY bumble bee trap

If other methods are not working for your garden, you can easily make a bumblebee trap at home using household items.

Bumble bees are quite easy to trap because they are attracted to anything sweet.

This method is great for both outside and inside, so it is highly effective. 

Required Items:

  • Sugar 
  • Water
  • Soda bottle 
  • Tape

Step by Step Process

  • Cut a large soda bottle in half.
  • Add ½ cup of sugar with ½ cup of water to a pot and boil it for 10 minutes to form a thin syrup.
  • Pour some of the syrup into the bottom part of the bottle. 
  • Invert the top of the bottle after taking off the cap and place it on the bottom. Secure it with some tape. 
  • Leave the trap outside or inside your home to catch bumble bees. 
  • Check back after every 24 hours to see if the trap has any bumble bees. Discard the mixture if there are a lot of bees. 

Precautions

Do not keep the trap for longer than needed because it could attract more bumble bees.  

8. Vinegar spray

Vinegar spray

Vinegar is commonly used for cleaning and cooking, but it is also great for getting rid of bumble bees from your garden.

Vinegar has a strong smell, which can easily repel bumble bees from both inside and outside the house.

The acidic substance is also great at killing the bees if it comes in contact with them. 

Required Items:

Step by Step Process

  • In a spray bottle combine ½ cup of water and ½ cup of vinegar and mix it well. 
  • Spray the mixture around your garden concentrating on the areas with the most bees. Try to spray it on the bees directly.
  • If there is a nest in your garden, you can spray the mixture directly on the nest to get rid of them. Make sure to wear protective equipment before doing so. 

Precautions

Vinegar spray cannot get rid of all the bees, since it needs to come in contact with them to kill them. 

9. Pyrethrin powder

Pyrethrin powder

Pyrethrin is a natural insecticide derived from plants. It is highly potent and can kill a variety of insects including bumble bees.

Pyrethrin powder is the best method for getting rid of bumble bees from their hive because you can easily sprinkle it inside.

You can find the powder at any garden shop or online. 

Required Items:

  • Pyrethrin powder 
  • Applicator 
  • Protective gear

Step by Step Process

  • Start by identifying the bumblebee nest in your yard or garden. 
  • Wear protective equipment before starting the process. It’s best to carry out the process in the evening or at night. 
  • Use an applicator to sprinkle the pyrethrin powder in the nest directly. 
  • The bees will start dying within one or two days. 
  • Repeat the process after 4 to 5 days again to make sure all the bees are dead. 

Precautions

Pyrethrin powder can kill other insects in your garden too, including earthworms, which are beneficial for the environment. So, always use it sparsely. 

10. Borax powder 

Borax powder

Borax powder is commonly used as an insecticide because it is toxic to a variety of insects including bumble bees.

You can easily sprinkle the borax powder in a bumblebee nest or make a borax spray to kill them.

It is highly effective and you can get rid of bumble bees in your garden using this method in no time. 

Required Items:

Step by Step Process

  • Add 1 cup of warm water to 2 teaspoons of borax powder in a spray bottle. 
  • Close the bottle and shake it well to mix the powder into the water. 
  • Wear protective gear before spraying the mixture in any bumblebee nest. 
  • Spray the borax mixture directly on the hive and around it. 
  • Repeat the spraying process every 3 to 4 days until all the bees are dead or gone. 

Precautions

Always wear protective equipment before using this method to ensure your own safety. 

Natural Ways To Keep Bumble Bees Away

1. Peppermint spray 

Peppermint is a common insect repellent and it works very well on bumble bees.  When you spray peppermint on your plants in the garden, it masks the smell of the flowers, thus repelling bees away from them.

If the bees come in contact with the spray, they will feel a strong sensation, which will prompt them to stay away from the area. 

2. Grow repellent plants 

Bumble bees usually make their hive on the ground, so repellent plants are very effective at preventing them. bumblebee repellent plants such as cucumber, marigold, and geranium usually don’t produce nectar for bumble bees, which helps repel them.

You can simply mix in a few of these plants around your garden or you can exclusively plant repellent plants to keep bumble bees out. 

3. Move your flowers 

Bumble bees are primarily attracted to your garden because of flowers. So the key to preventing bumblebees is by removing or moving your flowers.

If there are no flowers in your garden, bumble bees will not be interested anymore. If you don’t want to remove your flowers entirely, you can move them to an area that is not frequented by your pets and family to avoid the bumble bees. 

4. Clean your yard 

Bumblebee queens often overwinter under dead leaves and rocks in the winter. So if you don’t clean your yard or garden, they could start breeding and building a nest in the next season.

Therefore, it is very important to clean your garden regularly to prevent any queen bees from staying in the ground. 

Top 5 Best Natural Bumble Bees Repellents 

#Natural Bumble Bees Repellent
1Exterminators Choice Bee & Wasp Defense 
2Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
3RESCUE! TrapStik for Wasps, Mud Daubers, Carpenter Bees
4Katchy Indoor Insect Trap
51 Pound Boric Acid Fine Powder


Final Words:

Bumble bees usually don’t attack humans or animals without a reason, but they can become violent quite quickly if they are disturbed. Bumblebee stings can cause intense pain, swelling, and inflammation in pets and humans.

Their stings can also be deadly to those with a bee allergy. Therefore, it’s very important to get rid of and prevent bumble bees in your garden to ensure your safety. We hope that you can get rid of bumble bees using the natural methods mentioned in this article.