How to get rid of sweat bees?

Sweat bees, also known as halictidae bees, are a common nuisance during the warm summer months. As their name suggests, they are attracted to human sweat and will frequently land on people to lick up the salt from perspiration. While not aggressive, their constant landing and crawling can be incredibly annoying. Luckily, there are several effective methods to get rid of sweat bees in your yard and keep them away from you.

Why Are Sweat Bees Attracted to Humans?

Sweat bees get their common name from their attraction to the salt in human perspiration. They have sensitive receptors on their feet that can detect salt and are especially drawn to sodium in sweat. Female sweat bees will frequently land on sweaty skin and clothes and brazenly lap up the salty sweat. They need the sodium salts to supplement their nectar diet. This allows them to save energy otherwise spent finding scarce sodium sources.

Do Sweat Bees Sting?

While it may seem threatening to have bees crawling on your skin licking up sweat, sweat bees very rarely sting. Females have a stinger but it is not very well developed as a defense mechanism. The stinger is used primarily for defense within the nest. Males don’t have a stinger at all. So while the bees can be incredibly annoying, they pose very little danger. If you do get stung, it will feel similar to a mosquito bite.

How to Keep Sweat Bees Away from Your Body

• Wear light colored clothing – Sweat bees are more attracted to dark clothing.
• Avoid floral prints – They may mistake the pattern for actual flowers.
• Use an unscented antiperspirant – Perfumes and scented products will attract them.
• Wear breathable clothing – Clothes that allow sweat to evaporate will attract fewer bees.
• Take quick rinse off showers – Rinsing the sweat from your body will keep them away.
• Pat yourself dry – Rubbing yourself with a towel can spread pheromones that attract more bees.
• Consider using an insect repellent like DEET – Apply repellent to exposed skin.

Methods to Get Rid of Sweat Bees in Your Yard

Remove Food Sources

Sweat bees feed on nectar and pollen. Trimming flowering plants and picking up fallen fruit around your yard will eliminate temptation. Pay special attention to preferred sweat bee plants like butterfly bushes, azaleas, and rhododendrons.

Use Fans

Bees struggle to fly in windy conditions. Set up box fans or oscillating outdoor fans where sweat bees tend to congregate. The constant air movement will discourage them from gathering.

Create Bee Traps

Bowl or jar style bee traps can capture many foraging sweat bees. Fill a bowl with soapy water or hang traps with sugary baits. For jar traps, add some sticks inside for the bees to land on and drown.

Apply Repellents

Insect repellents like citronella, eucalyptus oil, basil, and mint oil can be applied around patios and decks to deter bees. Reapply frequently as the oils disperse quickly.

Install Nesting Boxes

Providing nest boxes for solitary predatory insects promotes natural sweat bee predators. Solitary wasps that use the nests will hunt sweat bees and other pests.

Use Insecticides

As a last resort, residual pyrethroid sprays applied by a professional exterminator to foundation plants and lawns can kill sweat bees. Be sure the products are bee-safe.

Prevention Tips to Minimize Future Infestations

• Seal cracks and crevices where nests could be built.
• Ensure proper drainage away from your home’s foundation.
• Keep ground covers like mulch at least 6 inches from your home.
• Remove trash piles, old logs, and other potential nesting sites.
• Consider installing nest boxes to encourage natural predators like solitary wasps.

When to Call an Exterminator for Sweat Bee Control

While most minor sweat bee problems can be self-treated, a professional exterminator may be required if:

• Bees are nesting inside wall voids or attics of your home.
• Large nests are present in the ground near high traffic areas.
• Bees continue returning after removal efforts.
• Stings cause severe allergic reactions.
• You want complete elimination of bees from your property.

Exterminators have the proper equipment and insecticides to effectively treat heavily infested areas and nests inside structures.

FAQs About Sweat Bees

Why are sweat bees suddenly so active in my yard?

Increased sweat bee activity is typical in mid to late summer when colonies are largest. The hot temperatures also draw them out in search of salt and water. Trimming nearby flowers and using fans can discourage them from congregating in your yard.

What plants attract the most sweat bees?

Butterfly bushes, lilacs, goldenrods, and clovers attract sweat bees. Any blooming flower plants provide needed nectar. Trim blooms or relocate flower beds away from high traffic areas if sweat bees are bothersome.

Are sweat bees dangerous?

Sweat bees rarely sting and are not aggressive. While bothersome when numerous, they do not pose a major safety risk. However, anyone with an allergy to bee stings should still exercise caution around sweat bees.

How do I keep sweat bees off my pets?

Use a natural pet-safe insect repellent when outdoors. Keep pets out of high traffic sweat bee areas. Wipe dogs down with a dry towel after going outside to remove attractive perspiration. Keep water bowls inside if possible.

What is the average lifespan of a sweat bee?

Most solitary sweat bee species live for 4-6 weeks as adult insects. Females engaged in nest provisioning are hardcoded to die shortly after completing brood cells. Queens overwintering in nests may live up to 8 months in warmer climates.

By taking a few simple precautions and implementing some of these control methods, you can enjoy your yard sweat bee-free. Target their food sources, nesting spots, and use exclusions to make your landscape less inviting. With persistence, you will see a reduction over time and gain control of annoying sweat bees.