Looking for a way to keep hover flies ( elbow grease bees ) away from you and your drinks , food and outdoor bodily function this fall ?
When it comes to being one of the most annoying dirt ball of the autumn season , hover rainfly , or sweat bees as they are more unremarkably known , are certainly in high spirits on the lean ! The tiny fly insects seem to invade any and all outdoor activities in former summer and early downslope . Especially one that bechance to include food , beverages and human !
Although they are often referred to as exertion bees , the “ bee ” share of their name is a bit misleading . One affair hoverflies can not do is what most bees can – and that is sting . But even without a cut , this little bee can still be quite vexing when you are essay to relish the great out-of-doors .
Hover flies, or sweat bees as they more often called, love the salt that comes from human sweat. Contrary to what many think, they cannot sting.
As much as the Holy Scripture “ bee ” does n’t quite fit their nickname , it ’s wry that the first password “ sweat ” does . That ’s because hover fly are most draw to salt . And as it just so bechance , the stew of humanity has more than its far share of sodium . So much so that hover flies sleep with to linger close by for a taste .
Before you go get hold of for that can of bee spray or the near insecticide , it ’s important to recognise that not only are these flying insect harmless to humans – they also happen to be incredibly important as a pollinator .
Hover fly ball are one of the few bee specie that will work and cross-pollinate every flower they come upon . Many other pollinators such as honeybees and butterfly will only mold a specific set of plants . And without the hover fly efforts , many uncivilized blossom might not be able to survive .
Hover bees are one of natures best pollinators and will visit almost every species of flowering plants.
Because of that , keeping them around ( but far aside of course ) can actually be incredibly helpful to the plant around your landscape . With that in brain , today ’s article is all about how to co - exist with hover fly – permit them to survive – but without having them break your metre outdoors in late summertime and fall !
How To Keep Hover Flies Away
So how do you learn to co - exist with hover fly ? The best path to success is to put a few simple measures in place that keeps them far away from where you are – but lets them live and pollenate everywhere else . The good news is that doing so is easier than you might think !
When it comes to repelling hover fly and keeping them out of your personal distance , mint is at the top of the list . They just can not brook the scent of mint . And where it is , they will not coif up shop class .
For patio , decks and outdoor dining spaces , develop tidy sum in pots and piazza on table and around baby-sit sphere . It sounds so easy and it is – a few pots of deal on an out-of-door dining tabular array will keep sweat bee from swarming the board .
Mint is really well-off to grow in pots and is both drought and pest immune . And if you need a footling extra protection alfresco from perspiration bee , you may just crush a few folio and rub on your arms , legs and exposed skin . Not only will you reek minty saucy – you will keep hover flies from hovering in front of you !
Last but not least , lot sprayer and essential oils will work to repel sweat bees as well . By putting a few mint oil fall in a diffuser and turning it on wherever you are outdoors , it can aid greatly in go on hover flies away . mathematical product Affiliate Link : Pure Mint Oil
One final banker’s bill on mint – it also has the same repelling qualities against mosquitoes . It ’s for certain a great elbow room to keep two of summers most annoying pestilence out at once !
Want to stay cool and keep hover flies away at the same time ? Then a utterly place out-of-door fan is the answer .
Hover flies are extremely lightweight and can not handle strong breezes or flux air . Because of that , a sports fan placed near an outdoor entertaining space is the sodding direction to keep hover flies from being able-bodied to fly near you .
Ceiling fans are also a neat artillery against hover tent flap as well . The down push of air is merely too much for their diminutive wings to navigate . A ceiling rooter can be a groovy investment for an outdoor dining area on a covered porch – not only will it facilitate to keep swither bees aside , but it works magic against mosquitoes too !
We already know that mulching your flowerbeds can aid eliminate Mary Jane , keep moisture in the grease for your industrial plant and help oneself to regulate territory temperatures(See : How To Keep Weeds Out Of Flowerbeds Forever ) – but did you know that mulch is also a great weapon against hover fly sheet too ?
Unlike other bee mintage which often live in colonies or tree , hover flies live in a single family social unit in the ground . But again , because they are not the firm of bee , they look for well-off , nude ground to make their nests . And when the soil is covered in mulch – they move on .
To stop weeds in bed of flowers , a four inch thick coating of mulch is all important . But that same mulch is more than enough to keep hover flies from nesting in the flowerbeds powerful near your outside spaces too .
Keeping the soil in pots and containers mulched is key in keeping hover flies from making their home in them.
Another key expanse of spare soil to pass over that is often miss is the pots and planters that sit on your patio . Again , a coating of mulch on top of the soil will avail keep hover flies from nest aright where you delight your outside time .
Last but not least , this same “ bare soil ” conception apply to lawns as well . By mowing your lawn at a higher setting , you help protect the soil from being bare . And in turn , that makes it harder for hover flies to nest in the lawn .
Keeping your lawn mow at a lower limit of three to four inches is ideal . Not only will it protect you from nesting hover fly ball , it will also keep your lawn greener , healthier and more vibrant !
Here is to keep hover tent-fly away . All , of course of instruction , while allowing them to still pollinate freely far away from where you bask the outdoors ! Happy Gardening – Jim and Mary .
Jim and Mary Competti have been write horticulture , DIY and recipe article and Quran for over 15 years from their 46 Accho Ohio farm . The two are frequent speakers on all thing garden and love to move around in their spare clock time .
