BajaNomad - Is there any way to repell BEES ?

Is there any way to repell BEES ?

BajaBlanca - 2-23-2013 at 12:50 PM

we have some bees that are insistent on trying to get into the garage which we normally leave open during the day.

The other day I was puttering around the garage and a bee flew in so I promptly thought, I can handle this. I grabbed a can of RAID and sprayed it. Holy mackerel ! Within a minute, his gang members came raging into the garage. I had to run inside and close the door behind me not to get attacked. You should have heard the buzzing !

So, peeps, what can we do to repell the bees so that they do not build a hive in our garage ?????

toneart - 2-23-2013 at 01:09 PM

Blanca,

Beekeepers use smoke to repel bees. Maybe you could build a fire in a pit, or a barrel in front of the garage for a day. After the fire gets going, throw on damp wood or leaves. They burn slower and with lots of smoke. That should discourage them.

Usually honey bees aren't as aggressive as the ones that are chasing you. Maybe you have Africanized (killer) bees there. Or maybe they are Yellowjackets or Hornets. (?). Can you identify what kind you have?

David K - 2-23-2013 at 01:24 PM

Africanized bees have been in Baja and Alta California for a long time now... The difference is they are aggressive and come to the aid of another being harassed. I have been attacked more than once by bees, but it isn't like what was seen in some sci fi movies (at least for me)... They just come back to try and sting you... I have been stung twice at the same time, but not worse than that. Honey (European) bees will avoid you and if you swat or spray one of them, others won't come in mass to get revenge.

Just leave the area, or get into your car... they will get back to their business soon enough. Now, if you disturb the hive, THAT could be a problem!

[Edited on 2-23-2013 by David K]

DENNIS - 2-23-2013 at 01:25 PM

Get a can of Wasp Spray.

DENNIS - 2-23-2013 at 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Africanized bees have been in Baja and Alta California for a long time now...

Yep. My neighbor knows bees and says all Honeybees today are probably Africanized.

I'm getting these strong urges to make some bad jokes, so I'd better quit now. :lol:

Ateo - 2-23-2013 at 01:34 PM

Find the nest/hive and burn it down at nighttime. That's what a google search said, but I wouldn't try it. Send Les to do it. JK.

Good luck. If I hear any real remedies -- I'll pass along.

mcfez - 2-23-2013 at 01:42 PM

Have you perfume....bright color object....moister...in that garage? These are "Welcome" signs to a bee :-)

Bees

cessna821 - 2-23-2013 at 01:46 PM

A friend of mine in Phoenix had this kind of problem and he would deal with it by finding the nest, then at night shining a powerful spotlight into the entrance. When they had all swarmed out thinking it was morning, he then switched it off - they can't find their way back and they die - sounds cruel, but apparently it works every time!

The other way takes longer - a glass jar with a tin lid with a hole pushed in the lid big enough for the bees to get into. Mix hot water with a good couple of spoonfuls of strawberry jam and fill the jar half full. A small drop of washing up liquid helps the wetting effect and you end up with a jar full of dead bees. It takes a few jarfuls if the hive is a big one.

toneart - 2-23-2013 at 01:50 PM

How about, stick your hand into the hive, pluck out the queen and then run like hell?

Ateo - 2-23-2013 at 01:52 PM

I like the fire in a drum next to the garage idea.

BajaBlanca - 2-23-2013 at 01:54 PM

@mcfez As far as I know there is nothing of interest in the garage smell-wise. They seem to be liking the coolness of the area (there is a big hole leading to the attic) .. all I can say is that I get the distict impression that they are looking for a site for the queen bee/hive.

@Ateo - LOL I have no idea where the hive is now - I guess I will check around the side of the house. and wait for Les to return from Loreto

@Toners - smoke might be the way to go for one day but .... I am trying to have the garage door open and not have them install themselves inside. Sure wish there was a bad smell that they hated or s/thing like that.

Africanized or not, these are really agressive bees. I mean, they came swarming into the garage and buzzing like there was no tomorrow. I wd have been stung over and over I am sure.

Years ago, and I think I wrote about this then, our neighbor was walking down a sandy path and got attacked for no good reason (now I realize maybe he was wearing a bright color jacket or shirt) . He dug himself into the sand to escape the stings.

BajaBlanca - 2-23-2013 at 01:57 PM

BTW they are really small and I really dont think they are wasps or yellowjackets.

I just saw the other posts ... cessna - GREAT IDEAS.

toners - run like hell .... WHAT ??????!!!!!!!! you gotta be kidding me LOL

Ateo - 2-23-2013 at 01:57 PM

All joking aside, be VERY careful Blanca.

toneart - 2-23-2013 at 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
@mcfez As far as I know there is nothing of interest in the garage smell-wise. They seem to be liking the coolness of the area (there is a big hole leading to the attic) .. all I can say is that I get the distict impression that they are looking for a site for the queen bee/hive.

@Ateo - LOL I have no idea where the hive is now - I guess I will check around the side of the house. and wait for Les to return from Loreto

@Toners - smoke might be the way to go for one day but .... I am trying to have the garage door open and not have them install themselves inside. Sure wish there was a bad smell that they hated or s/thing like that.

Africanized or not, these are really agressive bees. I mean, they came swarming into the garage and buzzing like there was no tomorrow. I wd have been stung over and over I am sure.

Years ago, and I think I wrote about this then, our neighbor was walking down a sandy path and got attacked for no good reason (now I realize maybe he was wearing a bright color jacket or shirt) . He dug himself into the sand to escape the stings.

Seriously, try the smoke idea for a day. That may be all that is needed for them to learn to look elsewhere (like maybe your house :no

. One day may work to discourage them. Try it. Having said that, I don't really know if it will work...what do I know? :lol:

Ateo - 2-23-2013 at 02:01 PM

I have found if you just try reasoning with them they will go away. =)

Just go out there and ask them what their problem is! Then with a crazed look in your eyes, start shouting, "you want a piece of me????!!!!???"

OK, that's enough for today. GOOD LUCK.

DENNIS - 2-23-2013 at 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca

Africanized or not, these are really agressive bees.

You can tell by their gait.......how they walk. If they walk like one leg is four inches shorter than the other, you can bet they're Africanized.
It looks something like this:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/357049/richard_pryor_gene_wild...

.

[Edited on 2-23-2013 by DENNIS]

toneart - 2-23-2013 at 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
BTW they are really small and I really dont think they are wasps or yellowjackets.

I just saw the other posts ... cessna - GREAT IDEAS.

toners - run like hell .... WHAT ??????!!!!!!!! you gotta be kidding me LOL

No...don't do that!!! Maybe sit in front of the garage all day and chain smoke doobies. :lol:

If they are really small, they could be hornets. They can be very aggressive. I have seen some species of bees that are small too, but they were not aggressive.

BajaBlanca - 2-23-2013 at 02:35 PM

:lol:

I walked around the house and if they are parked somewhere out there, I don't see them

But there is one that is sitting near the top of the garage door (which is closed) and I tell you, he is waiting for me to open the dern door so he can go in and call his mates too start abuilding a hive.

I did look at him crazed like and he flew off ..not for long I am sure.

If any of you are in Loreto - tell Les to get the brightest spotlight he can. He is there to pick up his daughter who arrives to visit us for the first time , coming on the freebee Alaska Airline ticket !

BajaBlanca - 2-23-2013 at 02:43 PM

@ Dennis - I laughed out loud ... soooo funny ! thanks for the comic relief.

paranewbi - 2-23-2013 at 02:54 PM

Last time we were in Bola the bees came around like clock work everytime we sat down to enjoy a beer! They would hover around us in ever increasing number and eventually would land on our hand held beers and try to crawl inside.

We would move around outside the camp until they stopped following us but only for a short while and then they were back...we eventually learned to take a fresh empty and set it not to far from us which would eventually attract one and then the others which kept them off the beer in our hands.

We resolved that next time we would bring a hummingbird feeder and keep it on tap for the bees!

shari - 2-23-2013 at 02:56 PM

Blanca you probably have a hive going up in the garage attic...observe where the bees are going and in the early morning where they are coming out of...then ask the locals...you probably have a bee guy in the village who can move the hive for ya.

They love brazilian pepper trees...they are all over our trees but dont bother anyone beneath or near the tree...they so love the tree flowers.

DavidE - 2-23-2013 at 02:59 PM

If they are small and black they are of the hornet family. They leave a potent pheromone behind indicating an ideal place for a hive. Small as they are, to me their sting is as nasty as a yellowjacket's. The hive in Michoacan I had to get rid of did not respond at all to light at night (a thousand watt metal halide stadium fixture). With the lamp shining, I burned coconut husks to tranquilize them for two hours. Absolute dense smoke right into the hive. Still got stung five times, Eduardo took more hits than I and the damned professional beekeeper did not get nailed once.

None of my abeja hives have reinas africanistas . Verified by box dis-assembly and verification by the beekeeper. I planted an acre of clover to help keep the hives healthy and uncontaminated. More hives, smaller entrance to thwart killer bee invasions. I also planted a Mexican species of flower from Yucatan to make the abeja de miel's sting more potent on advice of the beekeeper.

But those little hornets are a real pest when they select a new address.

[Edited on 2-23-2013 by DavidE]

ligui - 2-23-2013 at 03:52 PM

We had the same problem in ligui . We took our tiki torches we use at night and put them in the area where the bees kept coming and after awhile they stopped coming back . :yes:

durrelllrobert - 2-23-2013 at 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ateo
I have found if you just try reasoning with them they will go away. =)

Just go out there and ask them what their problem is! Then with a crazed look in your eyes, start shouting, "you want a piece of me????!!!!???"

Then invite them for dinner. Very tasty fried chrispy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2en4nvgFy-8

monoloco - 2-23-2013 at 04:30 PM

Blanca, If they are going into a hole, there is a good chance they have a hive in your attic. Be very careful poking around there, if they seem aggressive, they are probably Africanized, once one stings you the whole hive will be chemically attracted to do the same, sometimes with fatal consequences.

Russ - 2-23-2013 at 04:30 PM

Had them really bad around the humming bird feeders. I'd spray them and get back in the house until they massed around the feeder again. after two days either they we all killed or the message was sent not to mess with that feeder.

DianaT - 2-23-2013 at 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by toneart
How about, stick your hand into the hive, pluck out the queen and then run like hell?

Tony, since you are friend of Blanca's, I think you should volunteer to drive down and do this! :yes:

[Edited on 2-24-2013 by DianaT]

Bob H - 2-23-2013 at 05:30 PM

Back in the 50's, my Dad would look for the hive and then put newspaper on the end of a broom stick, light it on fire, and burn them out !!

Islandbuilder - 2-23-2013 at 06:05 PM

Smoke doesn't repel them, it sooths them so they can be worked around.
I think that there is something in the garage that's attracting them. Have you noticed them going to any particular area? If so, it may be as simple as moving the material, or cleaning up a spilled attractant. Bees will be drawn to sweet stuff, as will some wasps. Other wasps will be drawn to meat, fish or blood.
The citronela in the tiki torches is a repelant, that's what is keeping them away, not the smoke. Seems like a good and affordable thing to experiment with. There are citronela candles in little tin buckets that we'[ve used to keep yellow jackets away from outdoor activities. Not sure if you can find those around La Bocana though.

desertcpl - 2-23-2013 at 07:29 PM

I had a problem years ago in the back yard

the bees was every where and very agressive,
like Shari said look for them in the morning and evening when they leave and come back to the nest
in our case it was in the steps for our spa,, you would never think of that,, we called a exterminator to remove the nest, but they didnt do it right, and they sent out the owner of the company, he took the steps apart and removed the honey comb and cleaned it real good and put chemicals down,, its been quite awhile now and they havnt returned,
point is and others are saying,, they could very well have a nest some where in your garage or house they will work themselfs into a very tiny opening

mcfez - 2-23-2013 at 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by toneart
How about, stick your hand into the hive, pluck out the queen and then run like hell?

OMG Funny Tony!!!

Skipjack Joe - 2-24-2013 at 12:00 AM

When the temperatures rise in baja life gets really hard for the bees. That's my opinion. They become desperate to find water otherwise they perish. They agressive pursue any object that's moist because their lives are at stake. Problems occur when people shoo them away because often there is no other water source to go to and they need water now, not later.

The best way to not have a bee problem is to provide water at a location that's far enough to not bother you but close enough to compete for your water source.

During the hot summer we have literally a mound of bees on our rear bumper by the icebox drainage tube. They fight amongst one another for the drops that fall. They're so desperate that they climb into the tube and drown. I always know that when the icebox drain backs up it's time to suck out the dead bees.

They often 'attack' people because they're attracted to the sweat from your body. To them it's a source of moisture. Again, the problems occur when they seek the moister areas, feel trapped by the clothing, and sting you as you inadvertently press down on them.

Unlike those tarantula wasps I don't think the european bee is well adapted to the arid climates.

1bobo - 2-24-2013 at 06:01 AM

If you do find the point of active entry & exit (hole, crack, whatever), prop the end of your shopvac up next to it, turn on the vacuum, and walk away for a couple of hours. Every insect entering or leaving will be sucked in and the colony will collapse.

I also use my vac on paper wasps. They'll attack the end of the wand, but not me, and with an ABS pipe extension I can reach up under the 2nd story eaves.

P.S. Don't empty the canister for a couple of days.

Bob and Susan - 2-24-2013 at 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
we have some bees that are insistent on trying to get into the garage which we normally leave open during the day.

The other day I was puttering around the garage and a bee flew in so I promptly thought, I can handle this. I grabbed a can of RAID and sprayed it. Holy mackerel ! Within a minute, his gang members came raging into the garage. I had to run inside and close the door behind me not to get attacked. You should have heard the buzzing !

So, peeps, what can we do to repell the bees so that they do not build a hive in our garage ?????

clean the trash can and cover it...they like the smell

we have migrating bees once and a while...they come and go

they don't like our water since it's clorinated
they love the neigbors water...it's sweet

Alan - 2-24-2013 at 06:18 AM

BajaBlanca,

From what you have described you have the potential of a very serious problem and I would recommend that you follow shari's advice and solicit the help of a professional beekeeper or exterminator if necessary. When you desribed being attacked by the whole swarm after killing one makes me suspect you are in fact dealing with africanized (killer) bees.

During my 30+ years in the fire service I have responded to numerous bee calls and killer bee attacks became a frequent occurance in our Colorado River battalion when the migration moved north from Mexico. We dealt with them by hosing down the swarm with Class A firefighting foam that killed the bees but it is not something I would suggest for a homeowner. The firefighter would don full protective clothing and then every possible opening on their clothing would be duct taped shut , ie; cuffs, collars, bee veil, etc. (Yes we took to carrying bee veils on our engines). I remember one call where the firefighter counted over 150 stingers in just one of his gloves after the call.

They aren't something you want to mess with. These bees can be extremely aggressive when messed with. It seemed several of our calls were caused just by loud noises such as starting a lawnmower. Please seek professional help.

Professional help

EnsenadaDr - 2-24-2013 at 08:01 AM

I totally agree. When I first bought my house, every April a swarm of bees would go to just under the upstairs landing. I called an exterminator, and they drilled a hole in the wall where they said the queen bee and most likely a hive was hidden. They got rid of the bees, and a few days later, the bees were back. They did a second extermination. and that got rid of them. The next year, the same time in April, it happened again. I had the exterminator come out, and just like the year before, he had to come twice, but got rid of the problem. This happened a year or two after, but haven't seen the swarm in about 6 years. It can be extremely problematical, but can be solved, and like Alan said, it should be handled by a professional.

Quote:

Originally posted by Alan
BajaBlanca,

From what you have described you have the potential of a very serious problem and I would recommend that you follow shari's advice and solicit the help of a professional beekeeper or exterminator if necessary. When you desribed being attacked by the whole swarm after killing one makes me suspect you are in fact dealing with africanized (killer) bees.

During my 30+ years in the fire service I have responded to numerous bee calls and killer bee attacks became a frequent occurance in our Colorado River battalion when the migration moved north from Mexico. We dealt with them by hosing down the swarm with Class A firefighting foam that killed the bees but it is not something I would suggest for a homeowner. The firefighter would don full protective clothing and then every possible opening on their clothing would be duct taped shut , ie; cuffs, collars, bee veil, etc. (Yes we took to carrying bee veils on our engines). I remember one call where the firefighter counted over 150 stingers in just one of his gloves after the call.

They aren't something you want to mess with. These bees can be extremely aggressive when messed with. It seemed several of our calls were caused just by loud noises such as starting a lawnmower. Please seek professional help.

redmesa - 2-24-2013 at 09:18 AM

This is what arrived at our house 4 days ago. Help, I do not want to kill the bees.

redmesa - 2-24-2013 at 09:20 AM

OOPs

BEES very small pic.jpg - 32kB

monoloco - 2-24-2013 at 11:41 AM

If at all possible just live with them, normally, unless Africanized, honey bees are not aggressive and will become accustomed to your presence, and they are beneficial.

bee thermoregulation

Skipjack Joe - 2-24-2013 at 12:01 PM

Straight from the textbook:

In hot weather, bees cool the hive by transporting water to the hive and fanning their wings, promoting evaporation and convection.

BajaBlanca - 2-24-2013 at 02:46 PM

lots of good advice but most of you have not been here to our remote minute village... there is no exterminator in La Bocana ... however,

I haven't seen/heard the bees this morning and I simply left the garage door closed all day yesterday. Interesting that they look for water ... I think we have to move our perro Rex's water OUT of the garage. Like right about now.

Redmesa - are you serious about that hive ??? holy MOLY.

I did take this pic of one bee that followed me into the house yesterday and met his or her maker.

vandenberg - 2-24-2013 at 03:07 PM

Looks like the little dark bees we get around here. Not agressive if you leave them alone. Somehow, if you swat and kill one, more seem to show up. Best to leave them alone. When too many get around our feeders, we spray with bugspray a couple of times and they usually disappear after a few times.We have several fountains, so water for them shouldn't be an object.

El Jefe - 2-24-2013 at 03:38 PM

Bees threatening you in your own home? My God woman, you should have one a them assault rifles with a really big magazine! Yep, you could really smoke em out then.

Bajaboy - 2-24-2013 at 04:06 PM

Hi Blanca,

We had a huge hive in our front yard and were concerned due to our children. Our neighbor said "no problema" and went down to the store. She bought some powdered laundry soap and we mixed the whole package in a water bucket. We tossed the bucket of soapy water on the hive and within moments the bees were dead.

I'm not a big fan of killing bees but in this situation, it was necessary.

redmesa - 2-24-2013 at 05:36 PM

I just can't bring myself to kill the bees. We had hives in Canada and there is a desperate need of bees because many hives are dying from disease. If they become a problem and we can not find someone to move them then we will deal with them in a final way.

Bugman - 2-26-2013 at 05:10 PM

There are a number of bee and wasp species and the advice on how to deal with them will vary from one species to the next. Since honeybees seem to be familiar to many the following advice pertains to them and them alone. Should a swarm of bees show up in your yard and form a visible ball of bees on a tree limb or fence post just try to avoid them for a day or two as this is how they hold up while seeking a new place to live. They usually only stay for a few days at most unless the weather is bad. While in this stage they are not very defensive and much more tolerant of people and animals as long as you don't mess with them. Once you see bees going in and out of an opening in a tree, rock crevice or home it indicates they have probably made a hive there. The longer the hive has been there the greater their instinct to protect it. If the hive is someplace in the yard only the homeowner can decide if it is too close for comfort and make the decision to live with it or call an exterminator or bee removal expert. If the bees have started to make their home in your wall or attic I would encourage removal ASAP. The longer they are allowed to stay the more difficult the removal (= more $$) will be. Leave them there too long and you may have to contend with all the problems that come with a hive in your home. The worst would be angry bees that attack you near your home but could include bees getting inside, honey dripping down the walls and the many other bugs that will show up trying to get that honey. Walls can actually collapse from the weight of the honey in extreme cases. FYI - when you kill a bee or a bee stings you it releases a chemical alarm (pheromone) that puts all the other bees on high alert and increases your odds of getting stung again big time.

MMc - 2-26-2013 at 06:05 PM

Most bee's I don't mind. It's the sons of B's, that Tee me off

Skipjack Joe - 2-26-2013 at 08:02 PM

I hear marmalade repels them. Try that.

FYI - when you kill a bee or a bee stings you it releases a chemical alarm (pheromone) that puts all the other bees on high alert and increases your odds of getting stung again big time.

Now that's interesting.

BajaDanD - 2-26-2013 at 11:31 PM

If they are honey bees dont kill them. Call a pro to have them removed They are dying off in huge numbers around the world. dying from a parasite, Look it up. or being taken over by africanized bees. Bees are used for pollenating crops Africanized bees cant be used for that.

Bugman - 2-27-2013 at 02:36 PM

I am not sure how you got that impression Africa bees are not good for pollination but the fact is that Africanized bees are basically a regular European honeybee with a few minor genetic changes that are not even perceptible to the eye. Africanized bees pollinate in exactly the same way as European honeybees and are just as good at it. The problems arise due to the fact that when the European honeybees hybridized with the African strain they picked up a few traits that make them much harder to manage. The obvious one is the attitude as the Africanized strain is much more protective of the hive and will sting intruders much more readily. Away from the hive that instinct is not there and you will never know whether that random bee buzzing the flowers in the yard is Africanized or not. The African strain also tends to have smaller hives which is not as convenient for honey production. There are some other minor differences but it's that attitude that makes the African strain hard to work with and increases the liability concerns for bee keepers. In the USA where lawyers may be more dangerous than bees who wants the risk of getting sued because somebody got stung by your bees.... :spingrin:

BajaDanD - 2-27-2013 at 09:33 PM

Didn't mean they wont pollinate crops. Africanized bees pollinate just fine its that they are much harder to manage. Bees need to be moved in their hives to different locations. need to build large hives and need to be docile enough to have farm workers around them making noise with machinery without going crazy. Ive been stung a few times but still dont try to kill every bee I see around my house or in my garage . I also know not to pee them off. Got attacked once by lady bugs thousands of them thought I was in a B rated syfy thank God they dont have stingers.

durrelllrobert - 2-28-2013 at 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MMc
Most bee's I don't mind. It's the sons of B's, that Tee me off

Their habitate is mostly limited to the area in and around Sunova Beach.