How to Keep Bees Away from Your Pool

Co-authored by Steve Downs and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: September 23, 2021 References

Nothing can ruin a sunny day by the pool like a bunch of bees. It might seem strange for them to hang out nearby, but the bees are probably attracted to the water and what you've got around the pool. Fortunately, a few simple changes can redirect the bees so you're free to enjoy the water!

Method 1

Method 1 of 11:
Get the pool water moving.

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Bees don't like deep moving water, so switch on the jets. If you're trying to get bees away from a kiddie pool, toss in a pool toy that moves and agitates the surface. This can deter the bees since they prefer to land on still water.^{[1]
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- If you've got an automatic pool cleaner, you can also switch this on to agitate the surface.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 11:
Set up an alternate water source.

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Put a birdbath in your yard or set out a bowl of water. Bees are probably hanging around the pool because they can find puddles near the pool or water on pool toys. They actually prefer to drink from shallow water sources, so fill a birdbath or put few bowls with water out. Scatter rocks along the bottom and place a few sticks in them so the bees have something to land on.^{[2]
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- Put out water sources weeks before you start using your pool so the bees are in the habit of visiting those instead of your pool.
- Cover the pool when you're not using it. This cuts it off as a water source for the bees so they're more likely to go elsewhere.

Method 3

Method 3 of 11:
Spray a soapy solution to kill the bees.

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Mix 1 part dish soap with 4 parts water in a spray bottle. As soon as you notice bees around your pool, go out and spray them with the soapy solution. It will kill the bees around the pool without harmful chemicals. You may see more bees the next day, so keep spraying when you see them around your pool until they're gone.^{[3]
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- This works best the earlier you start doing it. If you've got a lot of bees, they're probably nesting nearby and you'll need to use some other deterrents to get rid of them all.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 11:
Make a natural peppermint repellent.

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Blend 2 c (470 ml) of water with ¹⁄₃ tsp (1.6 ml) of peppermint essential oil. Pour the emulsified solution into a spray bottle and spritz around the pool where you've noticed bees. They don't like the strong peppermint smell so they'll move on.^{[4]
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- Peppermint essential oil can irritate the skin, so avoid spraying your skin with the mixture. If you do get some on your hands, wash them with soapy water right away.
- You can also try orange oil.^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Steve Downs
  Live Bee Removal Specialist
  Expert Interview. 23 February 2020.}

Method 5

Method 5 of 11:
Hang bee traps near the pool.

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Make a trap using a plastic soda bottle and sweet liquid. Cut the top 1/3 off of a plastic soda bottle and insert it in the bottom of the bottle so the cap is facing down. Staple the top and bottom pieces together and pour soda or sugar water into the bottom of the trap to attract the bees.^{[6]
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- The trap works because the bees can get in, but they won't be able to get back out.
- If you don't feel like making your own trap, buy bee or wasp traps. These come with a solution that attracts the bees.
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Method 6

Method 6 of 11:
Set dryer sheets out around the pool.

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You can put them in baskets, underneath pots, or on tables. Weigh the dryer sheets down with something heavy so they don't blow away. You could also get creative and tie the dryer sheets into a gate that surrounds the pool or stick them underneath pool chairs.^{[7]
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- The bees don't like the strong scent so they won't hang around the pool.
- The dryer sheets will lose their scent after a while, so replace the sheets when you no longer smell them.

Method 7

Method 7 of 11:
Cover your food and drinks.

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If you eat near the pool, put lids on drinks and put netted canopies on food. Bees are drawn to sugary scents—think soda, juice, fruity cocktails, and candy. They'll also see any food as an invitation to hang out poolside so keep food covered. Better yet, eat indoors before you move the party to the pool!^{[8]
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- It's also a great idea to take the trash to the dumpster as soon as you're done eating.
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Method 8

Method 8 of 11:
Avoid wearing floral scents around the pool.

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Use unscented sunscreen and skip the perfume or body spray. Most sunscreens have a light, coconut or banana fragrance that bees love. They're also drawn to fruity or floral scents, so it's best to avoid wearing any fragrance that draws bees to the pool area.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Steve Downs
Live Bee Removal Specialist
Expert Interview. 23 February 2020.}^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Shopping for a new swimsuit or trunks? Go for dark, muted colors instead of bold colors or floral prints since bees are attracted to bright colors.

Method 9

Method 9 of 11:
Remove flowers that attract bees.

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You can relocate them or move the pots so they're away from the pool. If you have beautiful flowers that produce a lot of pollen or an attractive scent, you're just asking for the bees to visit the pool! Here are a few plants you shouldn't have poolside:^{[11]
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- Lavender
- Bee balm
- Sunflowers
- Lilacs
- Dahlias
- Zinnias
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Method 10

Method 10 of 11:
Plant flowers or herbs that deter bees.

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Bees dislike certain scents like mint and basil. If the pool's near a vegetable garden, plant cucumber. You can also plant an herb garden that deters bees—try basil and mint. Want pretty plants near the pool? Grow geraniums or pitcher plants.^{[12]
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- If you've got more space that you're trying to fill with plants, go for wormwood or eucalyptus. These provide groundcover that also keeps bees away.

Method 11

Method 11 of 11:
Hire professionals if you're still struggling with bees.

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Call a local company to relocate the bees. They'll be able to identify the bees in order to relocate them or exterminate them. Keep in mind that either way, they'll most likely need to dig deep into the ground around the pool to remove the buried nest structure.^{[13]
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- Bee removal usually costs a few hundred dollars depending on how extensive the nests are. If you plan on going this route, try to call the pros as soon as you see bees nesting around the pool.
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Community Q&A

Question

How can I deter bees from stinging me?

Steve Downs
Live Bee Removal Specialist
Steve Downs is a Live Honey Bee Removal Specialist, Honey bee Preservationist, and the Owner of Beecasso Live Bee Removal Inc, a licensed bee removal and relocation business based in the Los Angeles, California metro area. Steve has over 20 years of humane bee capturing and bee removal experience for both commercial and residential locations. Working with beekeepers, agriculturalists, and bee hobbyists, Steve sets up bee hives throughout the Los Angeles area and promotes the survival of bees. He has a passion for honeybee preservation and has created his own Beecasso sanctuary where rescued bee hives are relocated and preserved.

Steve Downs

Live Bee Removal Specialist

Expert Answer

Certain floral perfumes and body rubs can attract bees, but generally, they sting due to the location and chance. Bees very rarely attack people just to sting them. For instance, when at an outdoor event like a picnic, most people are stung if they lean on or stand on a bee not because the bees attack.