How to Protect Your Car From Bees and Wasps
Photo: PollyDot via Pixabay
Bees and wasps make significant contributions to the ecosystem as well as to humanity, from cross-pollinating flowers and making honey to helping eliminate some harmful pests that wreak havoc on crops. When it comes to cars, though, chances are you want to keep these insects out of your vehicle. Here are some tips for doing just that, as well as how to safely remove a bee or wasp nest from your car.
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Bee vs. wasp
For starters, you need to determine what type of bee or wasp is in your vehicle. If it’s a bee, it’s likely a honeybee, according to PestKilled. That’s because carpenter bees and bumblebees prefer to nest in wood and in loose materials found outside, respectively.
Wasps, on the other hand, look similar to bees but tend to be more aggressive. Their stinger is also more pronounced and they usually have a yellow head and backend, according to Pest Pointers blogger Zack DeAngelis. Besides the common wasp, other wasp species include hornets, yellow jackets, and ground bees.
Ways to protect your vehicle
Photo: The News Wheel
Ditch the sugar
Bees are attracted to sugar, says DeAngelis. So, a simple way to keep bees out of your vehicle is to keep the interior clean and remove any empty bottles, cans, and candy wrappers. It’s also important to inspect your vehicle’s exterior and surrounding area in case there was a sugary product that spilled on or near your car.
Consider where you park
Another suggestion is to re-evaluate where you park your vehicle. Sometimes bees will find their way inside your car simply because their nest is located near the garage, driveway, or another area where you park it.
This is also true of wasps. Per DeAngelis, wasps tend to build nests at the corners of houses, as well as in fencing, trees, and bushes that might be on your property.
Try a different air freshener scent
In addition, avoid using floral-scented air fresheners in your car, recommends DeAngelis. As you might expect, bees gravitate toward certain fragrances, especially sweet-smelling ones.
How to safely remove a bee or wasp nest
If bees or wasps have already taken up residence in your vehicle, you need to take action. For honeybee nests, it’s best to remove them after dark. Bees are diurnal so they’ll be less active and a bit drowsier at night. While some suggest removing the hive yourself, it’s best to call a local beekeeper to assist with removing the bees, per DeAngelis. This will ensure that you preserve both the bees and your vehicle from harm.
For hornet nests, Raid is a cost-effective option if you prefer to go the do-it-yourself route, according to DeAngelis. Make sure to wear protective clothing and stand a safe distance from the nest location before spraying, though. You can also call a pest exterminator if you’d rather leave the nest removal to the experts.
Naturally deter bees and wasps from your vehicle when you clean your car’s interior with these helpful tips. Then read up on how to keep your ride’s cupholders free from grime and sticky substances.
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Whitney Russell resides in Dayton, though her spirit can be found beach-bumming in Puerto Rico (the land of her half-Puerto Rican heritage). When not crafting car-related content, she can be found chasing after the most amazing toddler in the world, watching her “beaver” of a husband build amazing woodworking projects, hanging out with two crazy dogs, and visiting family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, crafting, and binge-watching period dramas when time allows. See more articles by Whitney.