If you’re tired of dodging stingers while swimming, here are the best ways to deter bees and wasps from invading your pool area.
1. Keep Bee-Friendly Plants Away from the Pool
Bees and wasps are naturally drawn to certain flowers and plants. If you have these near your pool, consider relocating them further away.
🌼 Bees love: Marigolds, black-eyed Susans, hyssops, and lavender.
🌼 Wasps are drawn to: Fennel, spearmint, sunflowers, and raspberry bushes.
🚨 Tip: Bees see purple, blue, yellow, and white most clearly. They don’t see red well, so choosing red flowers for your pool area may help keep them away.
2. Plant Bee-Repelling Flowers & Herbs
If you want to keep plants near your pool, consider using ones that repel bees and wasps.
🌿 Best plants to deter bees:
✔️ Basil
✔️ Geranium
✔️ Mint
✔️ Citronella
✔️ Lemongrass
✔️ Thyme
✔️ Eucalyptus
🚨 Bonus: These plants also help repel mosquitoes—so it’s a win-win!
3. Set Up an Alternative Water Source
Bees and wasps need water, so they’ll keep coming back unless they find another source.
✔️ Set up a birdbath or small pond away from your pool.
✔️ Add floating corks or stones so bees can land without drowning.
✔️ Place plants around it to make it even more appealing.
🚨 Tip: Bees prefer murky water over clean, chlorinated pools—so a shallow water source in your yard may be enough to draw them away!
4. Keep Food & Drinks Covered
Sugary drinks and leftover food are magnets for bees and wasps. If you’re snacking near the pool:
✔️ Keep drinks covered—especially sodas and fruit juices.
✔️ Throw away trash immediately in a sealed bin.
✔️ Avoid leaving sugary or sticky items like candy or melted popsicles nearby.
🚨 Tip: Wasps are more aggressive than bees when it comes to food, so keeping the area clean is especially important.
5. Use Natural Repellents
There are several natural methods to help keep bees away from your pool.
✔️ Peppermint or eucalyptus oil spray – Mix a few drops with water and spray it around your pool area.
✔️ Cinnamon or garlic powder – Sprinkle around seating areas to create a natural barrier.
✔️ Clove, geranium, and lemongrass oils – These work well together as a bee deterrent.
🚨 Tip: Avoid using sweet-smelling sunscreen or lotions, as they can attract bees.
6. Avoid Wearing Bright Colors
Since bees are attracted to bright colors, wearing bold, floral, or neon swimsuits can make them think you’re a giant flower.
✔️ Stick to neutral tones like white, gray, or light blue.
✔️ Avoid perfumes, scented lotions, and floral prints.
🚨 Tip: If you see a bee flying near you, stay calm—swatting at them makes them more likely to sting.
7. Remove Nearby Nests
If wasps or hornets are hanging around your pool, they may have built a nest nearby.
✔️ Check under eaves, decks, and patio furniture for small nests.
✔️ If you spot one, don’t remove it yourself—call a professional for safe removal.
✔️ Bees should be relocated, not exterminated—a beekeeper can help with this.
🚨 Tip: If you see lots of wasps or hornets around your pool, they likely have a nest on your property.
When to Call a Professional for Bee or Wasp Removal
If you’ve tried all the DIY methods and still can’t keep bees and wasps away, it’s time for expert pest control.
Signs You Need Professional Help
❌ You see large numbers of bees or wasps near your pool daily.
❌ There’s a hive or nest on your property that needs removal.
❌ DIY repellents aren’t working, and stings are becoming a concern.
At On Demand Pest Control, we specialize in safe and effective bee and wasp removal.
✔️ Professional nest removal – We safely remove wasp nests and relocate honeybees.
✔️ Customized pest control solutions – We identify and treat problem areas to keep bees away for good.
✔️ Safe & eco-friendly treatments – Protecting your home while keeping the environment in mind.
📞 Call us today for expert bee and wasp control in South Florida!
Enjoy Your Pool Without the Buzzing Pests
Keeping bees and wasps away from your pool doesn’t have to be a challenge. With a few simple changes, you can enjoy a sting-free summer and relax by the water without unwanted guests.
At On Demand Pest Control, we offer expert solutions to eliminate stinging insects and help keep your outdoor space pest-free.
📞 Contact us today for a free inspection and reclaim your pool area from unwanted visitors!
