How to keep bees away naturally: 5 safe methods and 4 mistakes to avoid

Published May 14, 2025 • Updated August 1, 2026
Reviewed by Julie Miller, BA in Language Arts, Editorial Lead, Dr. Killigan’s

TL;DR: To keep bees away naturally, use gentle scent-based deterrents like garlic or mint, choose lower-attraction plants near gathering areas and move bee-friendly flowers farther from doors and patios. Vinegar may help briefly, but it is not a reliable bee repellent. If bees have nested in or around your home, contact a local beekeeper for safe, responsible removal.

Already dealing with bees inside or around your home? Our guide on how to get rid of bees walks through safe, responsible removal options.

Buzzing around your patio. Circling near your drink. Hovering a little too close for comfort. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep bees away without harming them, you’re not alone. Homeowners often search for natural, safe ways to redirect bees from high-traffic areas while still respecting their role as essential pollinators.

The good news is that most bees are simply exploring for food or shelter and can be guided away with gentle, non-lethal deterrents. Understanding what attracts them—and what repels them—helps you create outdoor spaces that feel calm and comfortable without disrupting the balance of your yard.

In this guide, we’ll walk through five safe methods that can help keep bees at a distance, four common mistakes to avoid and when it’s time to call a local beekeeper for responsible relocation.

What keeps bees away naturally?

At a basic level, bees are less likely to linger where there is little food, fewer strong floral signals and scents they find unpleasant. Cleaning up food and drink residues, sealing trash, choosing low-attraction plants near seating areas and using gentle scent-based deterrents like garlic can all help guide bees toward other parts of the yard without harming them.

Tip: If a bee enters your home, close doors to adjoining rooms, open one exterior door or window and dim other light sources so the brightest route leads outside.

1. Vinegar: a limited and temporary deterrent

Vinegar is one of the most searched household remedies for keeping bees away, but its reputation is often overstated. Its sharp scent may make a treated area less appealing, but it should never be used to harm bees.

Does vinegar repel bees?

Not reliably. Vinegar’s strong odor may discourage bees from landing on or exploring a treated surface for a short time, but the effect fades as the smell dissipates.

Does vinegar kill bees?

No. Household vinegar is not a lethal bee control method. When diluted in typical home mixes, it becomes even less likely to affect bees at all. Online claims that vinegar “kills bees instantly” are inaccurate and can lead to harmful misuse. Bees may avoid the scent, but vinegar is not a safe or reliable solution if you need to remove bees from an area.

Did you know? Household vinegar may smell strong to us, but its acidity is similar to substances bees already encounter in nature, so it is not the instant bee killer some sources claim.

Spraying vinegar directly onto bees or mixing it with other agents, like dish soap, can stress or harm them and is not recommended. 

Better ways to use vinegar

If you choose to use vinegar, think of it as a scent reset, not a repellent:

• Wipe outdoor tables to remove sweet residues
• Spray on surfaces, not on bees
• Use between meals, not during active bee foraging
• Combine with other gentle strategies, like mint or marigolds

2. Plant-based repellents: what plants help keep bees away

Some plants naturally discourage bees from lingering near patios, seating areas, doors and walkways because of their scent, low pollen output or visual characteristics. While they will not eliminate bee activity, they can make these high-traffic spaces less appealing.

How plants can help redirect bees

Place strongly scented or low-pollen plants near gathering areas, and move nectar-rich flowers farther from doors, decks and dining spaces. This creates a clearer separation between where bees forage and where people spend time.

Top plants that help keep bees away

• Marigolds: Offer low pollen and a strong scent that many bees avoid
• Wormwood: Produces aromatic compounds that naturally deter many insects
• Mint: Releases a sharp aroma that can make bees less interested in nearby areas
• Geraniums: Provide bright red blooms that bees tend to ignore because they do not see that color well
• Eucalyptus: Gives off a strong fragrance that can discourage bees

3. Garlic: a strong scent bees tend to avoid 

Garlic is one of the simplest scent-based ways to make certain areas less appealing to bees. Its pungent aroma can encourage bees to explore somewhere else.

Garlic-based sprays are used in some garden, organic and extension programs because their strong scent is unpleasant to many insects and breaks down naturally over time. When used correctly, these products may pose minimal risk to bees and other pollinators. The key is to use garlic spray to redirect bees, not to spray it directly on them or on flowers they visit.

How to make a gentle garlic spray

1. Mince 2 full heads of garlic
2. Place in a heat-safe container and cover with 1/2 cup just-boiled water
3. Let steep overnight, then strain out the garlic pieces
4. Pour the liquid into a spray bottle and top up with water to dilute

Steeping the mixture overnight allows the active compounds in the garlic to infuse the water, creating a strong-smelling solution that can help guide bees away from specific spots.

For better coverage on hard surfaces, you can add a small drop of mild liquid soap to the bottle. This helps the spray cling to railings, fences and patio furniture more evenly. 

Where and how to use garlic spray

Use garlic spray as a boundary, not a weapon:

1. Mist lightly around outdoor tables and railings before a meal
2. Spray along the edges of decks, steps and patio borders
3. Reapply after heavy rain or frequent use of the area

4. Powder dust: how to use Dust to Dust responsibly around pollinators

Dust to Dust Plant-Powered Insect Powder is designed for crawling household insects, not bees. Still, homeowners may want to use powder products outdoors in areas where bees are active. Careful placement matters.

Apply only to non-flowering areas such as cracks, structural gaps and foundations. Use early in the morning or late in the evening, when bee activity is lower. Avoid windy conditions, and keep applications light and targeted rather than broad. Never apply the powder directly to bees or hives. The aim is to manage crawling pests without disrupting pollinators.

5. A beekeeper: a safe and responsible solution

If you are dealing with a recurring bee presence or a nest close to your home, the safest and most responsible option is to contact a local beekeeper or bee-friendly removal service. Beekeepers are trained to relocate bees rather than destroy them, allowing the colony to survive and continue its role in pollination.

A typical visit begins with a quick assessment of where the bees are nesting and how active the colony is. From there, the keeper chooses a removal method that protects both the bees and the structure. The bees are gently collected, placed into a hive box and transported to a more suitable location, such as an apiary, farm or area with abundant flowers.

Many beekeepers also offer basic guidance after removal, such as how to seal gaps or remove attractants so the bees are less likely to return. Choosing a beekeeper is a true win-win: your property becomes safer and more comfortable, and the bees are given a chance to thrive somewhere they are wanted and needed.

Additional tips to keep bees (and wasps) away

Seal places where bees may explore: Inspect eaves, siding, vents and utility openings for access points that could lead into wall voids or other sheltered spaces. Seal unused openings only after confirming that no bees are active inside.

Dealing with a wasp nest instead? Bee relocation and wasp control require different approaches. Final Hex is designed for treating paper wasp, hornet, yellowjacket and mud dauber nests outdoors. Always identify the insect first and use the product only as directed.

How to keep bees away from you while outdoors

If you are spending time outside and want to lower the chances of close bee encounters, a few simple habits can help.

• Avoid floral-scented perfumes, lotions and body sprays
• Move calmly and avoid swatting or sudden arm movements
• Tie back long hair or wear a hat so bees are less likely to get caught near your face
• Wear light-colored, solid clothing instead of dark or bright floral patterns
  

4 common bee control mistakes to avoid

While there are many effective ways to deter bees gently, some common “quick fixes” can cause more problems than they solve. These four approaches are best avoided.

1. Using soft drinks or sugary baits as traps: Setting out open soda cans or sweet liquids to lure bees can actually attract more bees and other pests to the area. It also increases the risk of accidental stings if someone picks up a container with a bee inside.
2. Spraying harsh chemical bee killers: Strong chemical sprays may harm more than just the insects you are targeting. They can affect beneficial pollinators, contaminate nearby plants and pose risks to people and pets if used improperly. For outdoor spaces, focus on prevention, gentle deterrents and professional help when needed.
3. Using mothballs indoors: Mothballs contain chemicals that can be toxic to pests, humans and pets. They are not intended for open-air use in gardens or yards and can release fumes into areas where people and animals spend time. They are not a safe or appropriate option for deterring bees.
4. Relying on chickens to "control" bees: Chickens may eat a bee occasionally, but they do not reliably reduce bee populations. They forage randomly and focus on a wide variety of foods, so they are not a practical or humane strategy for managing bee activity.

Final thoughts: deterring bees without disrupting nature

Managing bees is not about clearing them from your world. It is about gently guiding them away from the spaces where you eat, gather and relax, while still respecting the work they do as pollinators. By using these five methods and avoiding the common mistakes we covered, you can make your outdoor areas more comfortable without harming the bees that keep gardens and crops thriving.

The goal is always the same: deter, not harm.

At Dr. Killigan’s, we believe in solutions that respect the natural world while helping you feel more at ease in and around your home. If you are looking for plant-powered products to manage other household pests in a way that is gentle on the environment when used as directed, you can explore our collection anytime. Our aim is to help you create more Confidence, Peace and Control in your space, while leaving room for pollinators to do their important work.