Guilfordbeekeepers.org

Was asked this question by a neighbor the other day:
"Can you offer any advice on how to prevent Honey bees from gathering (not really swarming) in an area? The outdoor pool, that I'm a member with, seems to attract Honey bees near the railings/steps leading out of the pool. I'm not sure why, buy assume it may be do to the collection of sunscreen and water in those high traffic areas. Sadly the kids don't always see them and end up stepping on them, getting stung and the bees die. So, it's a lose-lose. I'd love to know if there is something we can spray or put down to keep the bees from those areas with out hurting them. Any advice would be appreciated."

Not sure how to answer this. If there was something they could do to keep the water from accumulating, that would held.

Looking for suggestions.

Thanks

I'm not sure if Fischer's Bee Quick would work in that situation, but it would be worth a try. I would try a small squirt/spray at the places where the bees are gathering. This would need to be done a few times a day and over a period of several days. It might get the bees to view this water source as unpleasant and cause them to look elsewhere. I have never field tested this.

LOL Not sure of ANY beekeepers that have deterred bees. Most WANT bees.

I thought about that. Just didn't know how practical it was. I'll mention it, though. Also thought if they could beep the water from puddling up, some how, that that might work. Wonder if a "Bird bath" or some alternate source of water would help. It would need to need to be checked regularly to make sure there was water in it.

Tanks for the input.

I have used the Fischer's on a few occasions to deter a swarm from completing the move-in to houses and office buildings. That involves spraying over a small area and just long enough to allow homeowner/maintenance men to plug openings AFTER checking to make sure the swarm had not completed the move-in before spraying and before plugging the openings.

I've placed diluted sugar water in a bird bath to encourage bees to go to a specific location. Once found, I stopped the sugar water and used only water. My understanding is that bee's are attracted to the smell of bleach. Rob's suggestion to use FBQ may also work. I would assume you would have to continue to apply it after it rains.