Bee And Wasp Repellent
- the bee friendly way to deter bees and wasps without harming them

I’m sometimes asked about my recommendations for a bee and wasp repellent that can be used without causing harm to bees and other pollinators.

There are a number of products available, including very effective natural based ingredients that can be used on the skin, and elsewhere.

Deet-free insect repellents

For use on the skin:

Repel - is available from Amazon US or

Incognito - is available from Amazon UK.

There are other products available too:

This EcoSMART product is also available on Amazon

Citronella Sticks are useful in the patio or picnic area

In the event that you are stung, you might like to try a Venom Extractor Kit - this is obviously something you would need to have as a precaution, and in advance of the stinging event occuring.

However, with regard to wasps nests.....in my view.....

Deter wasps from making a nest with a
Waspinator

Waspinators can be purchased from

Amazon

Waspinators mimic wasp nests, discouraging actual wasps from making a nest (they're very territorial).

Other Natural Bee And Wasp Repellent Ingredients You Can Try

Personally, I have never tried any of the following, for the simple reason that I have never wanted to repel bees and wasps, but I understand the following might work:

Do not spray these mixtures directly at bees or wasps, and be sure the surface where you are spraying can tolerate the mixture:

Garlic Crush garlic and add it to water. Spray around the area where you wish to deter bees and wasps.

White VinegarAgain, sprayed onto the area you wish to protect, it is said to help but, please be aware that vinegar can damage or kill plants.
Catnip Essential Oil Create a spray with this to deter bees and wasps.

Tea Tree OilI have no idea if it works, but some people do believe it to be effective, and it’s something you can try on your skin as long as you have no allergies to the ingredients.

Bee And Wasp Repellent Products I Do Not Recommend

Moth balls.

It really depends on the circumstances. Moth balls are not safe to use around bees in enclosed bee hives.

Moth balls release a gas that is toxic for bees, although if they are used in a non-enclosed space, they should act to repel the bees, rather than actually kill them. In any event, you could instead use an aluminium foil lining stapled under the eaves, or better still, use a Waspinator as described above.

However, I tend not to recommend moth balls because there are natural alternatives. See help with bees.