Bumblebees are insects that are part of the bee family. Although they are not considered a threat, there may be certain dangers if you have bumblebees in your garden. Do you want to get rid of these insects in your garden or patio naturally?
There are many home remedies on the market that you can use to eliminate bumblebees from your home. Below you can learn a little more about bumblebees, their stings, and how to get rid of them effectively.
What Are Bumblebees?
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A bumblebee is an insect, and they are part of the Bombus type. They are members of the Hymenoptera, a family of bees and wasps. More than 250 species of bumblebees can be found in the northern hemisphere and higher altitudes. They are bees that form their colonies with a queen like bees, but they are smaller colonies.
They are relatives of the well-known honey bee, and their colonies can have between 50 and 150 individuals. The buzzing of bumblebees is louder, and you can hear them from afar. Your body is divided into three parts: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. Bumblebees have bristles on their legs, and females often have a pollen basket or corb.
How To Identify Bumblebees?
Bumblebees are black with yellow stripes on the body. Their bodies are round, and they have shiny hairs. They can also be red and black or orange with black. The worker bumblebee has a stinger and therefore can sting.
As mentioned above, bumblebees are insects that have a loud buzz when they fly. They use the flowers’ nectar as their fuel because of their high sugar content. Pollen provides them with the proteins and nutrients they need for their growth and development.
The life cycle of bumblebees
After waking up from hibernation, the queen looks for a place to make her nest. Then he lays her eggs and stores the food she needs and her babies. The queen sits on the eggs for two weeks to keep warm.
After this time, the eggs hatch, and the queen feeds her larvae with pollen. When two weeks pass, the larvae turn into cocoons and are there until they become adult bees.
What are Bumble Bees Good for?
One of the best benefits of bumblebees is pollination. They do this work using a method called buzz pollination. Bumblebees are responsible for nearly 2-thirds of pollination in the United States. These insects are also responsible for pollinating plants that other insects do not consider.
What Attracts Bumblebees?
Bumblebees are insects that are attracted to flowers in general, but the following plants may attract more bumblebees:
- Sunflower
- Saffron
- Echinacea
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- And many more
They can pollinate peach, plum, sloe, pear, and almond trees in spring.
Also Read: How to Get Rid of Ground Bees Naturally
How To Eliminate Bumble Bees Naturally?
These insects like to stay away from humans, but they can sting if they feel threatened. It is advisable not to kill them. If you want to get rid of these pests, you can follow the following tips:
- Use peppermint spray
All insects hate the smell of mint. Since they also hate the smell of cinnamon, you can mix them up and make a spray that will keep the bumblebees away.
You should mix two tablespoons of liquid dish soap with water in the bottle. You need to add a few drops of peppermint essential oil and a few drops of cinnamon essential oil. You can also use ground cinnamon, but it is not recommended because it can clog the sprayer. When the mixture is ready, you should spray it on the areas where you see the bumblebees.
You can use insecticides
If you notice that the bumblebees are very annoying and endangering your family, you can use an insecticide. In this way you can kill the nest, these products can be found in stores and establishments in your town.
You should look for insecticides that are special for bees. Spraying the nest during the day can put it at risk and be stung. Wear appropriate clothing to avoid bumblebee stings.
You can call a beekeeper
If you have a large number of bumblebees in your garden, you can call a beekeeper, and they will help you without a problem. They are the ones to remove the nest safely and take care of the bees.
Eliminate bumblebees with vinegar and water
If you want to get rid of bumblebees, you can use home remedies. You can use a vinegar and water solution and spray it near the nest. You will kill the insects, and you will be sure that your plants will be intact.
Hire an exterminator
If you notice that you have a very large infestation, you can call an exterminator. They will know the treatments to use to kill bumblebees effectively.
How To Deal With A Bumblebee Sting?
Bumblebees can sting and also a female species. These bites usually cause itching, swelling, and redness to last for a few hours. The swelling and itching can last even days, and people who are allergic to insect bites can have an allergic reaction.
Home treatments
The first thing to do is remove the stinger and put some ice on the area.
Take an anti-inflammatory
You can take an anti-inflammatory to prevent the swelling from getting worse.
Put cold water compresses
Cold water compresses or cloths may be placed on the sting site.
Take a pain reliever
If you feel pain, you can take a pain reliever such as paracetamol.
How do You Prevent Bumble Bees From Returning?
If you have already eliminated bumblebees from your garden and you do not want them to reappear, you must follow these steps:
Spray a bumblebee repellent
You must spray a repellent to prevent these insects from reappearing in your garden.
Use home treatments
Combine home remedies like essential oils to keep bumblebees out of your home.
Must cover the nest
You should seal the hole when you have already killed most bees and bumblebees. You must explore your garden to prevent them from using any hole for nesting.
You can place the flowers far from your home
If you don’t want bumblebees near your door, you can place the flowers as far away as possible.
Fill cracks and holes
You need to seal any cracks in brick or your siding, as mentioned above.
Remember that if the bumblebee infestation is very large, you will need to call a beekeeper or an insect killer to have the correct help. You should not handle these insects if you do not have the right suit because they can bite them.
