How to Keep Bees Out of Your Michigan Home This Fall

As the weather cools down in Mid-Michigan, bees start looking for warm places to ride out the fall — and sometimes, that means your house. Before they sneak in, use these tips and natural scents to protect your home and send them buzzing the other way.

Keep Your Michigan Home Bee-Free This Season

Bees can’t stand strong smells like peppermint, garlic, vinegar, and cloves. Try spraying a mix of vinegar and water around doors, windows, and vents, or place cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil near entry points. Even a halved lemon with cloves stuck in it can help keep them out.

Once your home smells uninviting to bees, seal up any cracks or gaps in siding, screens, or wood trim. Repair weathered wood, especially around decks or window frames, and keep trash cans tightly closed. Watering dry soil near foundations can also discourage ground bees from burrowing in. A little fall prep now will help keep your home cozy — and bee-free — all season long.

Simple Fall Fixes Around the House

🏡 Home & Yard Prevention Tips

Seal cracks, holes, and gaps in walls, eaves, and soffits.
Use mesh screens on doors, windows, and vents.
Repair damaged wood — especially decks, siding, and window frames.
Keep garbage cans tightly sealed with lids.
Avoid leaving sugary foods, drinks, or ripe fruit outdoors.
Water your lawn regularly to deter ground bees.
Move birdbaths and pet water bowls away from doors and patios.
Avoid bright colors and floral perfumes when outdoors.
Use bee netting over fruit trees, gardens, or vineyards.
Inspect your home regularly for early signs of bee activity.

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Scents and Natural Deterrents That Drive Bees Away

🌿 Natural Bee Repellents & Deterrent Tips

Scents and Sprays

Vinegar Spray: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water; spray around doors, windows, and decks.
Peppermint Oil: Soak cotton balls or mix with water in a spray bottle for indoor/outdoor use.
Garlic Water: Soak crushed garlic in water for 2–3 days and place near problem areas.
Cloves & Lemon: Insert cloves into halved lemons and set them where bees gather.
Cayenne Pepper: Sprinkle in soil or garden beds to discourage ground bees.

Plants That Repel Bees

Basil
Lemongrass
Peppermint
Citronella
Marigolds

Other Natural Methods

Cucumber Peels on Aluminum: Place along windowsills to release a bee-repelling odor.
Citronella Candles: Light near patios or doors to keep bees away.
Smoke: Burn wood or cardboard near hives at night to encourage relocation.
Bee Bait Station: Place a bowl of sugar water or fruit juice far from your house to lure bees away.
Mothballs: Hang wrapped in cloth near outdoor areas to keep bees at a distance.

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Gallery Credit: Cort Freeman