I sometimes get asked for advice about bee nests beneath garden decking. It’s usually a bumblebee nest, and the person asking for help wants to fix the decking or, in this case, wash and stain the deck.
Discovering a bee hive under your deck can be alarming, but there are humane ways to remove the hive without harming the bees. As beneficial pollinators, bees play a vital role in our ecosystem, so it’s important to handle the situation carefully. In this article, we’ll explore the best practices for removing a bee hive from under decking.
Why Bees Nest Under Decks
Carpenter bees and bumblebees often nest under decks because the structure provides shelter and stability for their hive. The enclosed space protects the colony from wind, rain, and predators. Bees also like the untreated wood found under most decks, which is easy for them to bore into when constructing nesting tunnels.
While having a bee colony under your deck may seem like a nuisance, try to appreciate that the bees have chosen this location for the safety of their hive. As long as the hive remains undisturbed, the bees pose little risk to you or your home. However, eliminating the nest is sometimes necessary, especially if deck repairs are required.
Dangers of Disturbing a Bee Hive
It’s understandable to want to remove a bee hive from under your deck right away. However, extreme caution must be taken, as agitating the colony could have dangerous consequences:
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Defensive Bees: Bees will defend their hive if they feel threatened. Disturbing the nest makes them more likely to sting.
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Orphaned Bees If you accidentally kill the queen bee the rest of the colony will die once existing eggs hatch and supplies are exhausted.
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No Pollination: Local flowers, plants and crops could suffer from inadequate pollination if bee populations dwindle.
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Repeated Nests Bees may continue building nests under your deck until the location is made inhospitable.
Timing Removal Strategically
To avoid orphaning developing bees or provoking defensive behaviors, it’s best to remove a hive after the nest is vacated at the end of a season. Here is the ideal timing:
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Bumble Bees: Wait until fall or winter, after the mated new queens have left the nest.
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Carpenter Bees: Wait until late fall when males die off and mated females are less active.
Watch for decreased activity at the nest entrance to confirm the hive is emptying. Once the colony has mostly dispersed, removal is much safer.
Non-Toxic Removal Methods
When the time is right to eliminate the vacant nest, there are several non-toxic options:
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Apply Cinnamon: Bees dislike the smell of cinnamon. Sprinkle it around deck cracks and the nest entrance.
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Plug Holes: Carefully plug holes and cracks in the deck once bees are gone. This prevents future nests. Use wood putty, caulk, or hardware cloth.
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Remove Nest: Scrape or vacuum out comb and nest materials. Wear protective gear in case any lingering bees respond defensively.
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Install Barriers: Stain, paint or seal deck wood with polyurethane to deter future nest construction. Wire mesh under the deck also blocks access.
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Employ Repellents: Commercial bee repellents applied around the deck may convince bees to build nests elsewhere.
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Set Traps: Funnel-style bee traps with scented attractants can help capture and relocate remaining bees.
When Pesticide Use is Necessary
In certain situations, pesticide application may be the only way to deter bees from nesting under a deck. However, extreme care must be taken to avoid poisoning pollinators. Here are some key tips:
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Hire a Professional: Only licensed pest control technicians should apply pesticides. Their proper tools, gear and training help ensure safety.
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Use Pet-Safe Products: Many common bee poisons are also toxic to pets. Opt for pet-friendly formulations.
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Follow All Directions: Adhere strictly to pesticide label instructions regarding concentration, application method and drying time.
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Limit Access: Prevent people and pets from accessing the treated area until the pesticide is completely dry.
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Dispose Properly: Securely wrap and discard any leftover diluted pesticide according to local hazardous waste guidelines. Never pour it down drains.
Maintaining a Bee-Friendly Environment
While dealing with a hive under your deck may be unavoidable, there are still plenty of opportunities to support bees in your yard:
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Plant native flowering plants and bushes that provide nectar and pollen.
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Build a DIY bee house to give solitary bee species a nesting site.
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Provide a small fresh water source, like a bird bath or fountain.
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Avoid applying broad-spectrum insecticides on vegetation.
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Let lawn areas grow a bit taller to allow dandelions and clover to bloom.
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Leave dead tree trunks standing, which wood-nesting bees appreciate.
With compassion and responsible removal tactics, you can safely eliminate a deck hive while still promoting healthy bee habitats nearby. Implementing these bee-friendly practices will benefit the entire ecosystem.
Will cleaning and staining harm a bumble bee nest under the garden decking?
Here is a summary of the query:
I have a bumble bee nest under my decking. I want to clean the decking with a power washer before giving it an oil treatment.
Will this disturb the nest? Is it better to wait until the nest is no longer active?
First, thanks for caring about the bees. Yes, I would worry that the power washer would hurt the nest and the bees, and the oil treatment wouldn’t help them either.
It would be better and more polite if you could wait until the nest is no longer being used. I cant be certain when that will be. It could take a week or two, or even longer, depending on how well-established the nest is already. The new queens are the last to leave the nest because they make sure that there will be more bumble bee colonies in the future.
The nest will no longer be buzzing with bees going back and forth, so you’ll know when it’s no longer empty. At that point, it should be okay to clean the decking. If you can get access, you could take a look to check and see. If not, dont worry, just keep an eye on things with the nest.
If you are worried about being stung or bothered by bees flying around the decking, you could do simple things like strategically placing plant pots or other objects on the decking to make them fly away from places where people are sitting, as long as you don’t make it harder for the bumble bees to get to and from their nest.
But I do have to say that there is a manuka bush and a jasmine bush right next to where we sit on the patio. Both are busy with bees and wasps eating flowers, and they don’t bother us.
I hope this helps, and thank you again for caring.
Wasp nest cutter invention for under decks
FAQ
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