Look for bee-repellent herbs? Here are some plants that repel them naturally.

It’s no secret that bees are beneficial insects that contribute to the production of food by helping plants grow through pollination.

Honey is also a product of bees with significant nutritional value and is widely consumed around the world; hence the rise in the number of beekeepers.

Despite the many benefits derived from bees, there are times when they need to be gotten rid of. The reasons are simple; their stings! Bee can be deadly and aggressive when they feel threatened.

Now, these pollinators can take up residence at your home, hence becoming too close for comfort.

You have the option of calling for relocation or repelling them. Because bees are considered beneficial insects, it’s best to adopt natural methods to keep them at bay.

Here, we’ll be discussing how to use plants to achieve that.

6 Bee Repelling Plant Species

Several plants possess bee repelling properties and can be used safely without any incidence.

When using these plants, the results are much better as they drive away these insects without poisoning or killing them while also allowing you to gain back control of your property.

Bee repellent plants include Citronella, Mint, Geraniums, Eucalyptus, and Marigolds. Others are Pitcher Plants, Pennyroyal, Wormwood, Basil, and Cucumber. This isn’t an exhaustive list of all bee repellent plants.

However, we’ll be focusing on these few by discussing how they work, how to use them, and also find out if there are any side effects associated with their use.

  1. Citronella

Citronella is a great repellent for bee control.

For these plants to thrive, they’ll need to be planted in areas with adequate sunlight. What more? Well-drained soils are ideal for growing citronella plants.

  • How it Works

Citronella plants give off a strong smell that permeates your environment making it unwelcoming to bees.

In other words, bees are irritated by the plant’s odor. This makes it much easier for these pests off as all you need to do is plant as many citronella plants as you can.

  • How to Use

Using citronella plants for bee control isn’t difficult. First, you need to ensure that the area where these would be grown has well-drained soils.

What more? Adequate sunshine is necessary for growth. It doesn’t matter whether citronella is planted indoor or outdoor. Such plants should be placed where sunlight reaches them easily.

  • Side Effects of Citronella Plants

When it comes to citronella plant use, irritations may arise. These may range from skin and eye irritations among others. It all depends on the user.

Be observant of any changes or irritations that may arise due to citronella use. Also, seek medical assistance where necessary.

  1. Mint

The minty aroma from mint plants has been proven to repel a variety of pests including mosquitoes, rodents, and bees.

As a natural repellent, you won’t need to worry about its toxicity as it has none whatsoever on both humans, animals, and the environment.

  • How Mint Works

Mint repels bees mainly through its aroma. This aroma is constantly given off and permeates your surroundings.

As long as these plants are present, bees will find such areas hostile and unwelcoming. This means they’ll rather keep their distance than being overwhelmed by the irritating minty scent.

  • How to Use Mint Plants as a Bee Repellent

The best way to ensure mint plants serve as a deterrent to bee presence is to have them grown around your home.

Mint plants will always give off a scent that will repel bees. Therefore, having as many mint plants as necessary around your home creates a hostile environment. Bees eventually have to relocate.

  • Side Effects

Do mint plants pose health risks to humans? Not really, they do not.

However, certain individuals may have adverse reactions to them, thus leading to irritations. When such happens, discontinue use immediately and find alternative plants such as those listed here.

  1. Geraniums

Red geraniums are great plants known to have bee-repellent properties. These plants produce flowers that you may assume attract bees (bees are naturally drawn to flowers).

However, the reverse is the case as such flowers contain zero pollens thus having no incentive for bees to hang around.

  • How Geraniums Work to Repel Bees

Apart from its flowers having no pollen for bees to work on, geranium plants give off a scent that is disliked by bees. Bees will always keep their distance whenever you have geraniums planted in your yard or garden.

Apart from the repelling effect these plants have, they also help beautify your surroundings.

  • How to Use Geraniums for Bee Control

Geraniums are widely used not only for bees but also to deter multiple types of pests.

To use this plant, you’ll need to ensure proper application. In this sense, it will mean planting as many geraniums as necessary within your garden or yard. You can have them planted along your home’s perimeter.

  • Side Effects

When geraniums are used as bee repellents, they may result in side effects.

Despite this possibility, the use of geraniums will hardly result in negative side effects. However, when it happens, the individuals concerned may be having allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention in addition to discontinuing its use.

  1. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is also among plants that repel bees. This is a drought-tolerant plant that requires a lot of sunlight.

Eucalyptus plants must also be planted in well-drained soils. One of the main reasons this plant serves as an excellent bee repellent is its fragrance.

  • How Eucalyptus Repels Bees

Eucalyptus repels bees main because of its pleasant fragrance.

This scent released will permeate your surroundings. Because bees hate their smell, your home’s surroundings become unwelcoming resulting. Bees will eventually have to relocate elsewhere or find more favorable locations.

  • How to Repel Bees with Eucalyptus

To repel bees with Eucalyptus, you’ll need to have them planted around your home’s perimeter or within your garden or yard. Your preferred location for planting Eucalyptus will depend on where you want bees to be excluded from.

Once you’ve settled or a particular area, have these plants either potted or planted in elevated beds.

Remember, you’ll need well-drained soils to enhance plant growth. Adequate sunlight is also of the essence.

  • Side Effects

Although Eucalyptus has several advantages including serving as a bee repellent, there’s a likelihood of experiencing allergies with its use.

Thankfully, this isn’t so common and will rarely occur; but when it does, it’s necessary to find urgent medical attention as fast as you can.

  1. Marigolds

Marigolds are plants that are popular with gardeners. These also serve to beautify homes due to their beautiful flowers. Now, there’s a tendency to think that bees will naturally be attracted to them but that isn’t true.

The reverse is true (though nectar-seeking bees may be attracted to them. The scent released by marigolds serves to drive off bees.

  • How it Works

Stinging insects (especially wasps) hardly stand a chance with marigolds. This plant gives off a fragrance that irritates them and drives them off your property.

That way, you get to regain control of your home while avoiding the killing of bees.

  • How to Use Marigolds

For lasting effect, it’s necessary to plant marigolds in sufficient amounts within your home.

These plants will give off a strong fragrance that will permeate your home’s surroundings. This creates an invisible barrier for stinging insects like wasps and bees.

  • Side Effects of Using Marigolds

It is unlikely that you’ll have an allergic reaction to marigolds. Nevertheless, care must be exercised when such a condition is noticed and urgent action taken. Such urgent action includes stopping its use and seeking medical advice and help.

Also consider finding alternative bee-repellent plants. This article includes several of these for your consideration.

  1. Pitcher Plants

Have you ever heard of carnivorous plants?

Pitcher plants are one of such. Instead of repelling bees, pitcher plants serve to attract and digest them. Pitcher plants can either be planted alone or together with other plants.

You won’t need to worry about bee presence any longer as this plant gets the job done.

  • How it Works

We’ve established the fact that pitcher plants are carnivorous and digest prey including bees that are trapped. The flower serves to attract bees after which a slippery surface lets them fall into a pool of water and drown.

Ingestion starts without delay.

  • How to Use Pitcher Plants for Bee Control

If you’re looking for a plant that gets rid of bees by attracting them, then go for pitcher plants.

Prey, (including bees) are trapped and digested hence reducing the bee population around your home. You can also plant other bee repellent plants to help decrease bee activity around your home.

  • Side Effects

The use of pitcher plants for bee control may come with side effects such as irritations. As always, it’s best to stop its use immediately and seek help. You may also want to consider using other plants listed here for this purpose.

There is never a shortage of plants that repel bees. All you need to do is find those which are more suitable for your bee situation. In other words, you’ll need to choose those plants you’re more comfortable using.

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