Expert Tips: How to Safely Keep Bees Away From Your Yard and Home

Spring is in the air throughout Texas, and so are those pesky little creatures that are flying around. I'm talking about everything from wasps, hornets, yellowjackets, honeybees, mud dobbers, flies, and mosquitoes.

The last two that I mentioned, I consider them to be pests, the wasps, hornets yellowjackets, bumblebees, honeybees, and mud dobbers are all beneficial insects that provide an important ecological service.

The bees help us humans through pollination, predation, and parasitism. They also help us with our Texas gardens and landscaping, by keeping away other pests like caterpillars, spiders, and amphids. More importantly, without wasps, we would be overrun with unwanted pests.

The important part here is DO NOT USE harsh chemicals that would hurt the bees trying to get rid of flies and mosquitoes. But rather, using nature to shoo away all those flying critters that like to visit our Texas backyard barbecues, picnics, and outdoor family gatherings.

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Managing these flying insects in your yard and around your home is simple and relatively inexpensive. Start your spring gardening around your home by planting smart plants that keep flying insects away including wasps, and bees.

To keep the wasps and bees away, try planting these around your home

1. Mint: Its strong scent is a turn-off for bees.
2. Trumpet flowers: These oddly-shaped blooms don’t attract bees.
3. Wormwood: An insecticidal shrub that keeps bees away.
4. Lemongrass: Bees dislike its lemony fragrance.
5. Citronella: Known for repelling insects, including bees.
6. Thyme: The spicy and aromatic herb isn’t bee-friendly.
7. Eucalyptus: Its powerful smell discourages bees.
8. Basil: Bees aren’t fans of this sweet and savory herb.

Weldon Hurt owner of Pest Patrol and our City Mayor tells me that there are several things we can do to avoid the flying insects from being daily visitors. He said, "Get rid of all ground clutter, any junk lying around, plant the "Bee-Attracting Flowers" far away from your home, and plant repellent herbs around your home.

Plants that repel mosquitoes and flies include:

1. Catnip (Nepata cataria)
2. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
3. Basil
4. Lavender (Lavandula species)
5. Marigolds
6. Oregano, Parsley, and Thyme
7. Peppermint
8. Lemongrass

Bees play a crucial role in pollination, so it’s essential to strike a balance to keep them away from areas where they might pose a risk or nuisance. These pest-controlling tactics are inexpensive and easy to do. Happy planting y'all!