You might be wondering how to get rid of sweat bees? These annoying, tiny little light-green bodied bees often hover right in front of your face. Well, first, it’s important to realize that sweat bees are NOT a type of wasp. They are actually members of the bee family, and they really love to collect nectar from flowers.
Unlike many other types of bees, sweat bees are non-aggressive. They don’t sting people unless they are disturbed. Even so, they can be quite bothersome when you’re trying to enjoy the outdoors or even just take a walk in your yard! So, let’s look at how to get rid of sweat bees.
What Attracts Sweat Bees?
Sweat bees are attracted to the pollen and nectar of flowers, but they also supplement their diet with moisture and salt found in your sweat. They are also attracted to bright colors.
They can be seen flying around in large numbers at places that have red and yellow flowers, as well as green plants such as mint, eucalyptus, and pine.
Where Do Sweat Bees Live?
These pesky insects are found mostly in tropical areas where it is warm throughout the year. However, they can also survive in temperate regions. They will nest on bald patches in your garden, natural caves, or hollow trees like old apple trees or pine trees.
Are Sweat Bees Beneficial Insects?
As mentioned above, sweat bees are attracted to flowers that produce nectar and pollen. Therefore, these little pests are considered beneficial insects because they help to pollinate flowers, including many types of plants that are used for food.
How To Get Rid Of Sweat Bees
Sweat bees are not harmful to human beings. However, if you are allergic to bee stings, you should stay away from them and their nests. They can cause a severe allergic reaction that can be fatal in some cases. Here are a variety of ways to repel the sweat bees:
Using Sweat Bee Repellent
Commercial Repellent
If you are looking for a simple and effective way to get rid of these pests, you should consider purchasing a commercial product designed specifically to repel these insects.
Typically, there are commercial repellents that are made specifically to keep sweat bees away. You can find these commercial sweat bee repellents at most grocery stores or you can buy them online at Amazon or other websites.
These commercial repellents have an active ingredient, DEET. DEET has been shown to be effective in repelling most species of sweat bees. It also has the added benefit of being safe for use on children and pets since it does not contain any harmful toxins.
Homemade Repellent
You can make your own homemade sweat bee repellent by using a mixture of water, peppermint oil, and citronella oil. These three ingredients act as a natural deterrent to the sweat bees. This mixture should be sprayed on your skin or used as a vapor spray. You can also try making a candle with citronella oil and beeswax.
Keep Sweat Bees at bay
Place A Sweat Bee Trap In Your Yard
This method worked y wonders in keeping the bees away from my yard. Use a large jar filled with water and place it on the ground in the yard to attract the little devils. It works like a charm! The bees get stuck in the jar and drown!
Use A Bug Zapper
You can also use bug zappers to keep sweat bees away. These bug zappers work by emitting high-frequency sounds that might be inaudible to human ears.
Creating an Inhospitable Landscape
One of the best ways to keep sweat bees at bay is by creating an inhospitable landscape for them to inhabit. You can do this by planting a variety of different plants that repel these bees.
Besides, these critters place their burrow in a barren land, so eliminating any bare patches can help send away even an entire colony. Some of the most common deterrent options include:
- Adding mulch between garden rows and under shrubs.
- Dropping landscape fabric to prevent the bees from burrowing.
- Extending your lawn to cover all barren areas.
- However, planting a new garden will not stop the bees from visiting for pollination.
- Use ground covers such as clover or baby’s breath
Luring Sweat Bees Away
Another way to repel sweat bees is by luring them away with chunks of mango. The mango put on a container will emit a sweet smell that will entice the insects to come and eat it.
Once the sweat bees have identified your food source (usually in a day), move the container a few meters away. Repeat the process until you’ve moved the bees a safe distance away.
Coexisting with Sweat Bees
Sweat Bees are essential pollinators in our ecosystem. However, they can be a nuisance when they invade your yard or home.
There are several ways to coexist with these insects and ensure that you and your family stay safe.
Cover your skin
One of the basic ways to coexist with sweat bees is by keeping your skin covered with clothing. If you find yourself in areas where sweat bees are plentiful, simply wear long sleeves and long pants to keep the insects at bay.
Sweat bees are attracted to humans by their scent glands located on the abdomen of these insects. It is this scent gland that lures them in close proximity to the human body.
Sweat bees also swarm around other animals such as horses and dogs! Ensure you keep your pets on a leash if you plan on going to the park or even just walking around your yard!
Avoid Causing Vibrations Near the Nest
It is best to avoid causing vibrations near the nest to prevent the bees from being disturbed and going into a frenzy, as they will often attack if they feel threatened.
This could be as simple as turning off a lawnmower or using a weed whacker. If you do have to mow the lawn, you might want to use push mowers to eliminate the deep vibration of a power-driven mower (and save you money in the process).
How To Get Rid Of Sweat Bees: Conclusion
Sweat bees are annoying insects that sting. The good news is that there are many ways to get rid of them. The above tips should help reduce the issues you’re having with these insects.
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