Why Do Bees Like Teak Furniture So Much? 3 Possible Reasons

Even those who don’t have an interest in gardening have heard the question before: why do bees like teak furniture so much? Teak is long lasting and affordable, which makes it a great choice for garden furniture.

However, some people have wondered if perhaps there’s something in the makeup of teak that attracts bees.

Here are some of the possible reasons why.

Why Do Bees Like Teak Furniture?

Bees are attracted to the natural oils in teak furniture, which give the wood a warm, honey-like color. The sweet scent of their honey lures in many bees. The texture of the wood can be rather soft, which is appealing to the touch and to bees.

Bees appear to have preferences for certain types of wood, and teak is one of them. While bees may prefer certain kinds of wood, they will still visit and eat from any source of nutrition. There may be something in the makeup of teak that attracts bees.

Another reason is that bees like teak furniture is because the wood oils used to polish the furniture are very similar to the bee’s natural food sources. The pleasant aroma of the polish may be just enough to attract the bees.

But the main reason bees visit teak is because of the resin in the wood. Resins are sticky and gooply substances secreted by many plants to help protect them against potential insects and fungi.

Most plants have a resin-secretion inhibitor which tells the plant to stay away from fungi and insects. But in teak, this protection is lacking, thus allowing the resin to flow freely and attract bees.

Signs of a Bee Infestation

If you start to see more bees around your home than usual, it may be a sign that you have a bee infestation. You may see more bees flying around, and you may even find bees inside your home when you wouldn’t normally see them there.

If you are seeing an increase in bees around your home or property, it may be a sign of an infestation.

Bee infestations can be dangerous and should be treated by a professional.

The good news is that bee infestations are easy to identify and they generally result in a quick, complete removal of the bees.

There are several signs that may indicate a problem with bees:

  • Hive bodies or combs: bees like to build their hives out of wood comb, wood chips, or even old motor oil. As a result, you may see hives on fences, roofs, or in yards.
  • Piles of bees: if the infestation is bad, you may see heaps of dead bees in your yard.
  • Nesting bees: if you see bees building small nests in corners, behind couches, or in cracks in walls, this is a sign they may be infesting a area.
  • Fuzzy bees: if you encounter fuzzies on or around your property, it’s a sign they may be infesting a area.

Identifying the Problem:

There are several types of bees that can cause a nuisance in your yard.

European Honey Bee: This is a large, black and yellow bee that is quite populous in the mid-Atlantic region.

They are solitary, which means they live and work alone. They are good pollinators, but can be a nuisance when they build their honeycombs in your roof or in your garden.

Bumble Bee: Also known as the “Bombus” bee, this is a furry, large-sized bee that creates small, soft-bodied “honeycombs” in places like your roof or under your home.

They are a beneficial species, which means they help to pollinate plants, but they can be a nuisance when they get nest on your roof or in your yard.

Native American Honey Bee: The Native American Honey Bee is a small, black and yellow bee that is solitary as well. They are known to build their “honeycombs” in trees and other brush.

They are a gentle species, which means they won’t sting you if you touch them. They are also great pollinators, but they don’t make as much honey as the bumble bee.

How to Deter Wood Bees from Damaging Your Teak Furniture

There are a few things you can do to help deter wood bees from damaging your teak furniture.

One is to apply a coat of sealant to the furniture. This will help to protect it from the bees’ stings. The sealant can be applied during the Spring or Summer, before the bees build their hives.

Pheromone lure is another effective way to keep wood bees away from your teak. You can place these scents in areas where you know the bees will come into contact with them. The scent will travel to the bees and make them feel uncomfortable.

This is a good solution if you have a lot of wood bees that are flying around your property. You can place the lure in one area and watch as the bees gradually move away from it.

There are also sticky strips that you can use to protect your furniture. They work by attaching to the furniture’s surface. The bees will walk over the surface of the furniture and get stuck to the strips. Once they’re stuck, you can remove them easily by peeling the strips off of the furniture.

One last solution is to make your own homemade bee-net. You can use this to keep the bees off of your home. It’s especially useful if you have a large number of bees that you want to keep away. This is a very simple solution that only requires some twine and a few wooden strips.

As a last resort, you can cover the furniture with a plastic bag or something similar. Keep the bag or container on the furniture at all times.

The bees will not be able to enter the furniture and collect on the surface if they’re kept covered. This is also a good idea to use if you have kids and pets that may eat or play with the bees.

Natural Remedies – How to Deter Wood Bees?

Wood bees can be a nuisance when they start building their nests in your woodpile or on your property. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to deter them from nesting in your area.

One way is to hang a fake owl near where they are nesting. The sound of the owl will drive them away. You can also try making a noise like a rattlesnake or a loud speaker to scare them away.

Detergent-based sprays work well and are very effective. You can also use a bit of wax paper or ashes to rub on the outside of your wood. This will keep them away.

Another effective method is to make a very loud noise on the highest setting available. This will startle them and cause them to move away.

Finally, you can try to keep your property well-maintained and free of debris, which will make it less appealing to wood bees. If you’re having trouble doing this, you can also try using a licensed landscaping company to maintain your property.