How to get rid of bees camping? Camping is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors and get away from the bustle of the city. It enables us to create new memories and reunite with our loved ones.
However, bees can be a serious annoyance when camping especially if you are allergic to their stings.
Bees are drawn to the sweet scents of flowers, sweet foods, and even some kinds of clothes. There are various ways to keep bees away from your campsite if you’re organizing a camping trip
This article comprehensively explains how to get rid of bees.
Contents
Types of bees
You may prevent bees from visiting your campground and guarantee a bee-free experience by being aware of the species of bees that are present in the area.
Bees come in a wide variety of species, with some being more aggressive than others. The following are some common types of bees that you might come across while camping:
- Honey Bees
Honey bees are beneficial to the ecosystem and, unless provoked, aren’t usually aggressive. These bees have a remarkable oval body with brown stripes and a radiant golden-yellow color. They are renowned for their ability to produce the enzymes required to make honey and for using their powerful jaws and wax glands to build honeycombs.
It’s best to leave honey bees alone and avoid disturbing their hive if you come across one.
- Carpenter Bees
These large, solitary bees are attracted to unpainted or aged wood surfaces, especially those with light or yellow colors.
Although they are not usually hostile, they could become defensive if provoked. Keep food and sugary drinks covered, hang bee traps made especially for carpenter bees, and steer clear of brightly colored or unpainted wood if you want to keep carpenter bees away from your campsite.
- Bumble Bees
Since bumblebees are not aggressive and are important pollinators, it is advisable to give them space and refrain from destroying their nests. These bees usually build their underground nests in abandoned mouse or bird nests.
Be mindful of any nearby bee hives and give bumblebees space to guarantee harmonious cohabitation while camping.
- Yellow Jackets and Hornets
Yellow jackets and hornets are wasps. They are highly aggressive and are attracted to sweet food. You must respect their role in the ecosystem and distance yourself from them.
It’s advisable to stay away from hornets, especially if a bee hive is close by. Remain vigilant and cover your food to prevent attracting yellow jackets.
Tips to keep bees away from while camping
Below are various tips to keep bees away while camping:
Choose a bee-free campsite
Prevention is the most effective way to handle a problem. There are certain things you can do to prevent bees from invading your campground before you even set up your tent. Look for indications of bee activity, signs of bees, and potential attraction sources when scouting a site to camp.
Long-term campsites with trash left behind may attract bees due to the food scent, so be mindful of this.
Never pitch your tent close to a trash can or dumpster! Bees are often attracted to small, standing water sources such as puddles or ponds.
Wear appropriate clothes
Not only can bees detect scents from your belongings, but they can also confuse them for flowers. Go for pastel or neutral color clothing instead of brightly colored clothing.
Avoid wearing anything that can be mistaken for a bee predator as well. Avoid wearing a lot of fuzzy clothing when camping since furry creatures like skunks are frequent predators of bees.
Additionally, stay away from threatening colors like red and black.
Wearing appropriate clothing may prevent bee stings if you encounter bees. Extremely loose and flowy clothing might provide a lot of space for a bee to enter! Wearing fitted clothes or clothes tighter around opening areas, such as the waist and sleeves is more appropriate. Close-toed shoes are also highly advised.
Natural bee repellents
Naturally, bee repellents like eucalyptus, neem, peppermint, and citronella oils can help keep bees away from your campsite. You can mix in a spray bottle and apply a natural bee repellent to your skin, clothing, picnic table, or campground area to naturally repel bees.
Due to the efficiency of natural bee repellents, you may enjoy your camping vacation without having to deal with the annoying buzz of these pesky insects.
Mosquito net
Bees aren’t interested in stinging people but could still find their way into your sleeping space. You may prevent this by using a mosquito net. You may sleep soundly knowing that the net will keep all insects including bees at bay.
Bee trap
You could try making bee traps and yellow jacket traps if you’re truly determined to get rid of bees. Place a sweet bait (like honey or sugar water) inside a container with a small opening. The bees will probably burrow into the honeycomb in search of sweet foods, however, they won’t be able to escape.
Steer clear of scented products
It’s crucial to stay away from scented products when camping because they can easily attract bees due to their sweet smells. This includes scented lotions, soap, shampoo, and deodorant.
Insect screen
Install an insect screen at your campground to deter bees. Insect screens are reasonably priced and easily accessible. In addition, they are lightweight and portable, therefore they are unlikely to take up much space in your camping gear.
Citronella candles
Citronella candles work wonders in covering up smells that typically attract bees. This is another straightforward approach that you may use that doesn’t harm the bees or the environment.
These candles are an excellent choice because they’re affordable and long-lasting.
Light a citronella candle and place it on your picnic table before, during, and after cooking. It also keeps mosquitoes and other bothersome insects away!
Hang up a bee deterrent
Several of these products may be purchased online or at most hardware stores. It’s worth looking into these devices that use ultrasonic sound waves to deter bees.
Maintain a clean campsite
Bees may still be drawn to your campsite even if you have taken the necessary precautions to store your food. Bees are naturally attracted to any trash or food scraps that are left outside, therefore, you must dispose of your trash properly.
A clean campsite is a bee-free campsite. Recall that by taking this precaution, you will not only get rid of insects but also prevent dangerous creatures like raccoons from intruding.
Early campfire
Fortunately, removing attractants isn’t the only strategy to keep bees away from the campsite.
Smoking them out is an excellent, natural solution. If you intend to have a campfire at night, consider starting it early because bees are scared of smoke and fires.
If you’re unable to start a fire or don’t want to use up all of your wood, consider using incense or other alternative smoke-producing techniques.
Use a commercial bee-repellent
You can always use a commercial bee repellant if you’re experiencing problems getting rid of bees. Plenty of products are available so you must be careful when searching for an efficient one.
What to do if bees swarm your campground?
The first thing you ought to do if bees invade your campground is to remain calm and leave slowly.
Avoid making abrupt movements or swatting at the bees, since this could upset them and make them sting.
If you can’t find shelter, cover your head and face with a hat, jacket, or any other piece of clothing around you.
If a bee stings you, try to remove the stinger as quickly as possible and apply ice to the affected area to minimize swelling.
FAQ
How do you get rid of bees when camping?
Bee activity can be tackled using insect screens, mosquito nets, insect repellent, brown paper bags, and essential oils.
What will make bees go away?
Many natural solutions, like vinegar, garlic, and essential oils, can help repel bees. You could also try applying a bee repellent spray or hanging a fake wasp net to trick bees.
Nevertheless, it’s crucial to keep in mind that bees are essential pollinators and part of our ecosystem, therefore try to refrain from harming them if possible.
How do I keep yellow jackets off my campsite?
There are a few easy steps to keep them away from your campsite. First of all, avoid floral patterns or brightly colored clothing. Furthermore, cover your food and beverages to prevent the sweet smells from attracting them.
Yellow jacket traps are another option; these may be purchased or made by setting a jar outside of your campground and filling it with a sweet liquid or sugary foods. Don’t forget to promptly dispose of food scraps and spills to maintain a clean campsite. Finally, refrain from swatting them since this might agitate and escalate their aggression.
What smell do bees hate?
Certain essential oils, such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and citronella, are unpleasant to bees. It’s crucial to remember, though, that these oils should only be used sparingly and cautiously because overuse can be detrimental to bees.
Conclusion
It can be risky to try to remove a beehive on your own since bees can get aggressive and attack in large numbers. Fortunately, there are numerous methods to stop bees from interfering with your outdoor activities.
Meanwhile, You should be aware of what attracts bees and avoid keeping them around.
The most crucial thing to keep in mind is that using natural products can be effective! Remember that you don’t have to harm the bees in any way!
Above all, enjoy a wonderful trip. Even people who are allergic to bees can safely and healthily enjoy the outdoors with a little preparation.
I hope this guide is of immense help to you.