How to Keep Bees Away From Pools
There’s nothing like splashing into a cool pool on a hot day until a little yellow-striped bee decides to join your swim! If you’ve spotted bees or wasps buzzing around your pool, you’re not alone. They love water just like we do, but that doesn’t mean you have to share your pool with them. With a few smart steps, you can eliminate pests fast and keep your pool a relaxing, sting-free zone.
Let’s dive into why bees hang out by pools and what you can do to keep them away so you can swim without worry.
Why Do Bees Love Pools?
Bees and wasps get thirsty, too! On hot days, they look for easy places to sip water and take it back to their hives to keep everyone cool. Pools are big, shiny, and easy for them to spot. Plus, the smell of pool water, sunscreen, and yummy snacks makes your yard a favorite stop for these tiny fliers.
Bright flowers, pool toys, and colorful towels add to the attraction. Some wasps even like the smell of chlorine! So, it’s no surprise they might pick your backyard as their favorite watering hole.
Easy Ways to Keep Bees Away
You don’t have to give up pool time. Try these simple tricks to help keep bees, wasps, and other stingers away from your splash zone.
1. Plant Herbs That Bees Don’t Like
Bees aren’t fans of strong-smelling herbs. Planting mint, basil, lemongrass, or citronella around your pool can help send them buzzing away. These plants look nice and even help keep other bugs like mosquitoes away, too.
2. Move Flowers Further Away
If you have bright, sweet-smelling flowers close to your pool, try moving them to another spot in the yard. Bees love flowers in purple, blue, yellow, and white. Shifting those plants away from the pool gives bees something pretty to visit, but not while you’re swimming.
3. Offer Another Water Spot
Give bees a better option by setting up a shallow dish or bird bath in a quiet area of your yard. Add some pebbles so bees have a safe place to land. They’ll use this new water stop and skip the pool altogether.
4. Cover Up When You’re Not Swimming
A pool cover is a smart way to block leaves and keep the water clean. It also makes it harder for bees to sneak in for a drink when no one’s around. If you don’t have a cover, even a large tarp can help.
5. Use Scents Bees Avoid
Some smells drive bees away. Try putting dryer sheets near your pool chairs or hanging small bags of mothballs nearby (but out of reach of kids and pets). A few drops of peppermint oil around the deck can also help, but keep oils away from pool water.
6. Keep Snacks Closed
Bees love sweet drinks and snacks. Use cups with lids and cover up food when eating by the pool. Empty soda cans and snack wrappers can attract bees fast, so clean up right away and keep trash cans covered tight.
7. Keep the Water Moving
Bees prefer calm water. If you have pool jets or a fountain, run them when you swim. The moving water makes it harder for bees to land and sip.
8. Try a DIY Wasp Trap
If wasps are a big problem, you can make a simple trap. Cut a plastic bottle, flip the top into the bottom like a funnel, and fill it with sweet bait like soda or syrup. Place the trap far from the pool to draw wasps away.
9. Watch What You Wear
Bright swimsuits and flowery lotions can attract bees. Try wearing lighter colors and skip floral perfumes or sweet-smelling sunscreen. A hat can help too bees sometimes get curious about hair!
10. Get Help for Nests
If you spot a bee or wasp nest near your pool, don’t try to remove it yourself. Call a local pro or beekeeper to move it safely. Bees help nature, so it’s better to relocate them instead of harming them.
Have a Sting-Free Summer
Bees are busy helpers for flowers and gardens, but they don’t belong in your pool. With these simple steps, you can enjoy every swim, relax with friends, and keep your pool fun and bee-free all season long.
