Honeybees and Pool Water

[CarlD]

Yellow jackets can respond to their members being killed by swarming. I wouldn't recommend the racket method for them. Instead, spray their nest. If it's overhead a spray liquid is best, if in the ground, foaming spray works great. Or, for a natural solution, invite a skunk to dig up the nest. Skunks' opinion of yellow jackets is the same of a kid's about ice cream on a hot day! They love to eat them!

Then you have to deal with skunk removal, but, Hey! no solution's perfect....

[kjh9835]

I'll pass on the skunks, we've had two run-ins this year already with both of our boxers, the last time at 5am before I even had coffee!!!

I searched online for more info. Spearmint was suggested so I went and bought two plants at Lowes. Sat one on the ladder, then other on the hose by the filter. Within minutes both plants had bees ON them!!!! Squishing the leaves for more scent did nothing.

Next I put dishsoap/ water mixed 1:4 in a spray bottle, set it on mist and got back in the pool. I hovered aroud the main spot and kept on spraying prob. close to an hour before they left. They came back when I got of the pool. Next day I did the same thing, sprayed until they left.

Today is day 4. No bees anywhere close to the pool.

kjh