Peppermint & Spearmint to Repel Bees

[dplant]

Hello, I hope this is the correct forum to ask this question.  We have noticed a lot of bumble bees in our yard this year.  They hang out around the corners of our back yard and by my daughter's playhouse.  They usually leave us alone, but my daughter is terrified and won't play outside anymore.  So I wanted to know if there are any ways to keep the bees away.  I've read that peppermint oil and spearmint oil are offensive to bees.  Just wondering if anyone had any success with this or any other suggestions. 

[Michael Bush]

Neither are offensive to bees.  They put peppermint oil in Honey Bee Healthy to attract bees...  Cintronella is not offensive to bees either.  And lemongrass is particularly attractive.  About the only essential oil that the bees don't seem to care for is Almond aka Benzaldehyde.  But I don't know if it will actually keep them away from a place.  It will run them out of a super...

[Maggiesdad]

...sounds like carpenter bees.

[BeeMaster2]

How about Tea Tree Oil. It is an extract that we use to move bees out of a super when we extract the honey. \
Mike, do you know if it works on Carpenter Bees?
I get it at health food stores. It will only take a drop or 2 to keep them away.
Jim

[jonesjungle]

Bees dislike clove oil. Available at most pharmacies.