First off, in the “I know I should know this, but I don’t” department – what is the term that covers bees, wasps and hornets – you know, insects that build hives and could sting you?
In any case, my husband bought a pair of outside speakers. He plans to hang them under the eaves of our garage. The way the eaves are built, this will leave a gap at the top of each speaker – the sort that seems ideal for bees/wasps/hornets to build a hive in. Given that he will take the speakers down for the winter, he doesn’t want to deal with hives of stinging insects.
What can we do to discourage these insects from settling in by the speakers? We don’t want to kill or harm them at all, just get them to find another spot to build their hives.
The internet is full of home remedies to repel such insects, but I figure a lot of those remedies won’t be effective.
To my knowledge there is not a term that truly encompasses what you are looking for, but in practice “bees” is generally used as a coverall term - kind of like “turtles” being used to include turtles and tortoises.
As for keeping them away, I have no idea. I live in the southern US where bees, wasps and hornets are ubiquitous. While I have heard many home remedies for stings, I’ve never heard of one for permanently repelling the insects themselves.
Certain wasps and hornets (not bees) may find the space you’ll be providing appealing. You can try rubbing ordinary bar soap on the overhang in that area. There are also deterrents you can add to paint that will work for a year or so.
the wasps that will build paper nests in such places are typically German Wasps, colloquially “yellowjackets” depending on where you are. They’re utter assholes. Ill-tempered and always building nests in the most inconvenient places.
OTOH, that screen is an ideal substrate for nest-building. Any 2D or 3D inside corner is a fine location, but one including some screen their mud or paper or whatever nesting goop can get purchase in is perfect for their needs. May as well set out the welcome wagon.
I think the OP is probably overstating the incremental risk. If you already have wasps, etc., then this is just another few square inches of potential nesting site on a house that’s already got tens of thousands of square inches of potential nesting site. And if you don’t already have them, it’s because they’re randomly not in the immediate area around your house; not because your house lacks potential nesting sites.
For belt-and-suspenders, try this: After installing the speakers, spray the area with insecticide every few days for a month or so. Reapply in the early spring each year. Odds are the stink will repel them long after you can’t smell it.
Nitpick: German Wasps, AKA European Yellowjackets, are of the genus Vespula, which build their nests underground. The genus Dolichovespula (Bald faced Hornet and Arial Yellowjacket) build the above ground paper mache type nests similar to hornets. Both are true yellowjackets.
That’s right up there with fake dog poo as something you’ve got to shake your head about. What do the little old Chinese ladies at the fake wasp nest factory think they’re making and why?
I wonder if ‘bees’ as a generic term is limited to America - it seems very wrong to my UK ears - bees are bees - wasps are wasps (hornets are wasps though). Not saying either is wrong or right of course.
[To continue the bees/wasps hijack] To me, bees are insects that have one sting. They sting you once and that’s it for the bee. The bee’s stinger stays in the stingee and removal of the stinger will generally give relief to the stingee.
Wasps are capable of multiple stings. Their stinger stays with the stinger.
Most hornets are bees (at least to my classification). That is, they are a one-trick-pony. Just a very nasty and ill-tempered pony. Honeybees, I don’t mind much. Bumblebees don’t bother me either. Wasps are irritating, but I really hate hornets. Hornets are the devils honeybees. Hell probably has a few hornets right on the other side of the river, but once you get inside, it’s nothin’ but hornets.
Lots of online support for the “fake nest” idea to repel wasps. This site suggests that even a crumpled-up paper bag, hung from a string, will do the trick.