# Deterring bees **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 17, 2017, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668 "2017-04-17T21:38:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/1 "2017-04-17T21:38:36Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/2 "2017-04-18T20:01:31Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/3 "2017-04-18T20:16:59Z")
Can you cover the can with screen? ---
**Author:** ![2Bits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e95f7d/32.png) [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/4 "2017-04-18T20:34:44Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/5 "2017-04-19T13:15:55Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Can you cover the can with screen? This is a good idea, but it would have to be a fine mesh screen - like [window screening](https://www.google.com/shopping/product/1755982767282149617?lsf=seller:8740,store:15763978185022869769&prds=oid:10910984349684958318&q=window+screen+material&hl=en&ei=UWP3WMaQAoazmwHJiKvICg&lsft=cm_mmc%3DShopping-_-LIAs-_-D30-_-203193957&lsft=gclid:Cj0KEQjwldzHBRCfg_aImKrf7N4BEiQABJTPKOOIamcBYqbeViMU0-_9notONILASvem_7UBbl9HpCUaAha_8P8HAQ). ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/6 "2017-04-19T14:05:26Z")
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. mesh screen might be your only hope. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/7 "2017-04-19T14:45:29Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/8 "2017-04-19T15:32:08Z")
Venomous flying insects? I spray the corners of our porch every few weeks. It kills what is there and deters for a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/9 "2017-04-19T15:44:14Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > 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. > > mesh screen might be your only hope. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/10 "2017-04-19T15:49:36Z")
I use fake nests, available at Canadian Tire. Wasps are highly territorial and a bit stupid. Put up fake nests and they stay away from that spot. I’ve got three spots in my garden that wasps like to nest, so I put up three fake nests, one in each area, and they stay away. No chemicals needed. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/11 "2017-04-19T16:02:05Z")
Wow. I’ve never heard of that. Thanks 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? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/12 "2017-04-19T18:49:28Z")
They’re the same frame as those expandable red Chinese lanterns, only grey, so the Chinese may just think that “Those Canadians are so drab!” [https://m.canadiantire.ca/products/productDetail/0593500P/false/false/false?selectedSku=0593500](https://m.canadiantire.ca/products/productDetail/0593500P/false/false/false?selectedSku=0593500) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/13 "2017-04-22T09:35:20Z")
Well, that’s odd. When I click on that link on my phone, it takes me to the “Bee-Free” product. But when I click on that link on my lap-top, it takes me to the general page for Canadian Tire. Here’s a link for laptops: [http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/bee-free-natural-wasp-deterrent-2-pk-0593500p.html](http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/bee-free-natural-wasp-deterrent-2-pk-0593500p.html) Curious to see if it works. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/14 "2017-04-22T10:20:42Z")
Link works for this American on a laptop. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/15 "2017-04-22T10:53:54Z")
Laptop link works on my iPad, but the mobile link is just a general page. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/16 "2017-04-22T12:23:40Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > 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. 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. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/17 "2017-04-22T12:47:15Z")
_Hymenoptera_ is the only term I know of that covers all bees and wasps. It’s a bit of a nerdy word for it, though. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/18 "2017-04-22T12:55:01Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > _Hymenoptera_ is the only term I know of that covers all bees and wasps. It’s a bit of a nerdy word for it, though. I figured “vespids” (equally nerdy) would cover it, but I see now that term excludes bees. “Stinging insects”, it is. \ ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/19 "2017-04-22T13:03:03Z")
[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. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668/20 "2017-04-22T13:45:03Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > I use fake nests, available at Canadian Tire. Wasps are highly territorial and a bit stupid. Put up fake nests and they stay away from that spot. Lots of online support for the “fake nest” idea to repel wasps. [This site](https://jollygreenjane.com/2013/05/29/the-kind-way-to-repel-insects-and-pests/) suggests that even a crumpled-up paper bag, hung from a string, will do the trick. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deterring-bees/784668.md?page=2)