Vinegar Is A Safe & Harmless Way To Deter Bees From Parts Of Your Yard

Bees are some of the most incredible and important species on our planet — in addition to being producers of delicious honey, they're also essential players in our ecosystem as pollinators. Sadly, bees have significantly declined in population in recent years, which means swatting a bee or spraying a nest down to get rid of bees is no longer an ethical option. Still, that doesn't mean bees are welcome to our dinner parties on the patio, or on every surface in the garden. The good news is that there's an easy way to ward bees away from these spaces without coming in direct physical or chemical contact with them — and that won't harm the bees. All you need to keep bees away is white vinegar and a spray bottle. 

On top of all the things you can clean with white vinegar, this is also a natural deterrent for bees. This is likely because the harsh smell of vinegar is off-putting to bees, so they'll avoid lingering near it. Simply spray down the areas you don't want bees coming near, such as dining tables, chairs, and children's toys, with a solution that's equal parts water and distilled white vinegar, and you should have a bee-free outdoor space. As mentioned above, vinegar is a harmless treatment that does not kill or harm bees, it simply discourages them from hanging out in certain zones of the yard — do not spray bees with vinegar, as it may harm or agitate them. 

One downside to traditional pest sprays and pesticides is that, in addition to unnecessarily harming the struggling bee population, they can also be hazardous to your health and bad for the environment. So, if you're not sure if you should use vinegar in the garden, remember that you don't have to worry about these same things with white vinegar, as it is designated as a non-hazardous substance. However, be sure not to get vinegar in your eyes or have prolonged contact with your skin, as this can cause irritation. White distilled vinegar isn't as potent as industrial strength vinegar-based herbicides, so it is safe to use around plants when diluted.

Since the main reason vinegar works as a deterrent against bees is likely its aroma, that means this bee-repelling trick isn't a one-time thing. You'll need to repeat this occasionally to maintain the bee barrier. Keep a spray bottle of the diluted solution on hand, and when you notice that the smell has gone away, give it a spritz to be safe. You can also be sure to spray down the balcony and patio furniture before hosting an event outside as a safe-guard. And don't worry if you're all out of vinegar. There are plenty of other kitchen staples that can repel bees, such as cinnamon, cucumber peels, and garlic powder.