If you have beehives near your home or the places you hang around, you do not need to kill them or destroy the colony. Instead, you can use some essential oils for bee repellent to avoid the risk of a sting.
The human species would not survive more than five years if the bees were extinct from our ecosystem. (1) They are essential parts of our ecosystem.
Using store-bought, chemical-infused bee repellent can be dangerous for your health, as well as for the environment. Essential oils are completely natural and safer than those commercial bee repellents.
This article reviews the efficacy and uses of essential oils for bee repellent.
Why Use Essential Oils for Bee Repellent?
Bees love honey, citrus fruits, sweet tea, and all other sweet flavored things.
While bees help to keep our air dust and pollution free, bee-stung can be severe. In some cases, people might die if not treated accordingly.
Here are some reasons why you should choose essential oils to get rid of bees:
- There are some conventional bee repellents available in the market. However, these contain a high level of chemicals. Whereas using essential oils for bee repellent is 100% natural and effective.
- Using essential oils as a repellent would not harm the bees and beehives or hive growth.
- Using essential oils as bee repellent will leave you with a pleasant aroma. Some of the essential oils have other benefits for human bodies as well.
8 Essential Oils to Repel Bees and Wasps
1. Tea Tree Essential Oil
It is one of the most popular essential oils. Apart from being a very good bee-repel, this oil moisturizes the skin. (2)
How to use tea tree oil as natural bee repellent:
- You will need 1 cup of distilled water, 20 drops of tea tree oil, five drops of citronella oil, and 8 oz glass spray bottles.
- Shake up all the ingredients in a spray bottle. That’s all! Your essential oil bee repellent is ready!
- Store the mix in a cold and dry place, away from the reach of bright light, kids, and pets.
- You can spray the mix in the air around the bees or sprinkle some all over your house.
Read More: Tea Tree Oil for Keloids: 10 Natural Remedies
2. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint plants are as susceptible to bugs and insects as any plant. But the distilled version of the tree oil is an excellent insect repellent. (3)
How to use peppermint essential oil to repel bees:
- Take 5 tbsp of your favorite brand of shower gel or liquid soap in a sparkle jar and add water to it.
- Mix 10-12 drops of peppermint essential oil into the solution.
- You can also dab the essential oil on tissues and stash it around the house as a natural indoor repellent.
Read More: Peppermint Oil for Hair: 8 Reasons to Use
3. Almond Essential Oil
Almond essential oil has a nutty, light aroma, and yet the oil may work as a bee repellent. Almond oil contains benzaldehyde, which may repel bees. (4)
Learn how to keep the bees away from you using almond oil:
- Mix 5-6 drops of almond oil with 1-2 drops of carrier oil, such as olive or canola oil.
- Apply the diluted oil all over your body to repel bees. As a bonus, you are going to have nourished and moisturized skin.
Read More: Almond Oil for Dark Circles: 13 Natural Ways to Use
4. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Some people consider this oil to be the most robust and efficient bee repellent. (5)
How to use eucalyptus oil to deter bees:
- Take 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and mix it with 3-4 drops of pine, cedarwood, or lemon essential oil.
- Pour 500 ml of distilled water and shake.
- Pour the mix into a sprinkle jar and spray all over your kitchen, inside the closet, and living room.
- There is no way a single bee would pass through the threshold of your house.
5. Orange Essential Oil
Most people use this essential oil for flavoring. Orange oil comes from the rinds of oranges using a cold-pressed method for extraction. (6)
How to use orange oil to keep bees and wasps away from yourself:
- You are going to need 10 tbsp of orange oil and 4-5 drops of rubbing alcohol. Mix these 2 and apply them to your skin to prevent bees from coming around you.
- You might also brush the surface of your home to repel bees.
- If you want to use a spray, add some water to the mix and sprinkle it.
6. Citronella Essential Oil
Citronella essential oil can be a gentle, plant-based insect repellent. (7)
How to use citronella oil to repel bees:
- Mix up to 10 drops of the oil with 2-3 drops of coconut oil and spread it on your body like lotion.
- You can also mix 100 ml of water with the mix in a spray bottle and sprinkle it on your skin, hair, and clothes.
- You can also try applying pure citronella oil to your skin unless you are allergic to it.
7. Cedarwood Essential Oil
Cedarwood essential oil has a particularly sweet and robust aroma. You can use it as a safe alternative to traditional bee repellent. (8)
How to use cedarwood oil as homemade bee repellent:
- Combine a similar amount of the cedarwood oil with lemongrass and peppermint oil.
- Rub the mix on your skin and hair and sprinkle some on your clothes and socks.
- You do not have to worry about bees all day long.
8. Essential Oil Blend
An essential oils blend will repel bees more effectively.
How to prepare essential oils blend to keep away wasps and bees:
- Mix 1/8 oz each of jojoba oil, tea tree oil, and pennyroyal oil with 1/4 oz lavender and 1/2 oz citronella oil, and 16 oz of almond oil. You can apply the mix to your skin.
- If you want to make a bee repellent spray, you might use a similar amount of vodka instead of the carrier oils.
Read More: 8 Best Essential Oils for Tick Bites Home Remedy
Things to Remember
- Take care not to miss any of the sprays over food.
- Do not spray near your face, especially the eyes.
- Do not use a raw version of these oils on your skin.
- Do not spray on the bees or beehives.
- You should consult a doctor before spraying these essential oils on your baby’s clothes.
Read Next: 7 Essential Oils for Chiggers Bites & Relief from the Itch
