If you’re invested in keeping bees away from your house for a longer time, you could plant one or more cucumber plants in a garden near your house, or in a pot outdoors.
If you want to ensure that bees are kept away from your house for many summers, try planting marigolds in pots or planters on your patio, deck, or outside windowsill.
You can also keep bees away by chopping up a clove of garlic and letting it soak before for a few days in a glass of water. Then, when you’re going to spend time outside, set the glass of garlic water nearby.
Set the “bait” about 20 minutes before you and your guests gather outside.
Trash cans. Tall grass (which often contains ground nests). Vacant sheds. Old, unused playgrounds.
Bees are more attracted to some flowers than others. They’re most likely to investigate wildflowers, along with honeysuckle, goldenrod, and lavender. Bees also like several herbs, including oregano, thyme, and chives.
Alternately, keep all of the food indoors. Asking guests to fill their plates inside and then step outside to eat may be a minor inconvenience, but it will decrease the number of bees you encounter.
Barbeque (especially with a sweet sauce). Salmon. Fried chicken. Soda.
If you leave bags of pungent-smelling garbage within a few feet of your meal, you’re all but guaranteed to attract bees.
Dressing in muted tones will attract fewer bees.
If you know you’ll be outdoors for all or part of a day, skip the perfume or cologne and opt for un-scented hair products.
Similarly, insect-repellant candles (like Citronella) probably won’t keep bees away either. Unlike mosquitos and gnats, bees don’t seem to mind the smell of the candles.
