A Harmless Trick to Keep Bees and Wasps at Bay During Sunny Days

The joys of a sunny day by the pool or on the deck can sometimes be hampered by the buzzing of bees and wasps. While they play an essential role in our ecosystem, it’s understandable to want to keep them at a distance when you’re trying to relax outdoors. Fortunately, there’s a harmless trick that can help you enjoy your outdoor spaces without resorting to harmful chemicals or extermination methods. This tip is rooted in the French advice, “Astuce pour les beaux jours: Prenez n’importe quel sac en papier brun, remplissez-le de sacs en plastique, attachez-le et accrochez-le n’importe où près de votre piscine ou de votre terrasse. Les abeilles et les guêpes penseront qu’il s’agit d’un nid de frelons et resteront très éloignées. Je fais ça depuis des années et ça marche très bien sans tuer les abeilles!” In English, this suggests a unique and environmentally friendly approach: create a decoy hornet’s nest to deter bees and wasps.

bee web 1

How does it work?

  1. The Concept: By filling a brown paper bag with plastic bags, you can give it the shape and appearance of a hornet’s nest. When you hang this decoy close to your desired area, such as near the pool or terrace, bees and wasps are tricked into believing that there’s a hornet’s nest nearby.
  2. Why it works: Hornets are natural predators to bees and wasps. The presence of a hornet’s nest signals danger to them, which in turn keeps them at bay.

Steps to Create the Decoy

  1. Materials Needed: A brown paper bag and a few plastic bags (like those from the grocery store).
  2. Procedure: Open the brown paper bag and stuff it with the plastic bags. Shape it roughly to resemble a hornet’s nest – usually oval or tear-drop shaped. Once filled, tie the top of the paper bag securely. Hang it in the desired location where you want to deter bees and wasps.

Benefits of Using the Decoy Method

  1. Eco-Friendly: This method is environmentally friendly and doesn’t involve any chemicals or substances harmful to bees, wasps, or other insects.
  2. Humane: Instead of killing or harming bees and wasps, this trick merely deters them, allowing them to go about their vital roles in the ecosystem without interference.
  3. Cost-effective: Using just a brown bag and some old plastic bags, this solution is affordable and straightforward to implement.

Conclusion

Protecting our outdoor spaces from unwanted insects doesn’t need to come at the expense of the environment. This clever trick has been utilized for years with great success and stands as a testament to the power of simple, eco-friendly solutions. So, the next time you’re looking to enjoy a peaceful day by the pool without the company of bees and wasps, remember this harmless and effective method.

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