Bumble bees are important pollinators that play a vital role in our ecosystem. However, they can become pests when their nests are located too close to your home. Bumble bee stings are relatively mild compared to other stinging insects, but they can still be dangerous for people with allergies. The good news is there are several effective and environmentally-friendly bumble bee pest control methods you can use to get rid of bumble bees on your property.
Why Bumble Bees Can Become Pests
Bumble bees typically nest in abandoned rodent burrows, under sheds, inside compost piles, under decks, and other hidden areas around your yard. Their nests contain up to 400 bees that constantly fly in and out of the entrance during warm weather. This heavy traffic and close proximity to humans increases the chance you or your children may get stung. People with bee sting allergies are at risk of a serious allergic reaction if stung multiple times. Additionally, bumble bees are very defensive of their nest and will aggressively attack anything they perceive as a threat. For these reasons, bumble bee nests on your property need to be removed as soon as possible.
Effective Bumble Bee Pest Control Methods
There are several safe and effective methods to get rid of bumble bees without harming the environment. Whenever possible it’s best to use non-lethal control methods that persuade the bees to relocate their nest instead of killing them. Here are the top 7 bumble bee pest control techniques
1. Remove Attractants
Bumble bees typically build nests in overgrown areas filled with brush, leaf litter, compost piles, and other debris. Clearing away these attractants and creating an open, sunny environment is often enough to make the bees move to a new location on their own. Rake up leaves, remove piles of brush and sticks, and tidy up any overgrown sections around your yard. This takes away their nesting habitat.
2. Pour Soapy Water into the Nest
Use a spray bottle to squirt a mixture of 1/4 cup liquid dish soap per gallon of water directly into the nest entrance. The soapy water irritates the bees and floods their nest, forcing them to abandon it. Apply the soapy water in the evening when foraging bees are inside the nest. Wear protective clothing to avoid stings.
3. Seal Entry Holes
Locate all entry holes to the underground nest and seal them with caulk, expanding foam, or soil. This traps the bees inside, forcing them to find another way out. They will likely chew new exit holes, allowing them to be rerouted away from high-traffic areas. Keep monitoring for new exit holes and continue sealing them to stress the bees out and motivate them to relocate.
4. Install One-Way Exits
Place a short length of plastic tubing or PVC pipe into the entry hole, then angle it sideways. The bees will exit through the tubing but won’t find their way back in. Within a couple days, the entire colony will fly out and not return. Seal up the entry point once all the bees have exited.
5. Use Repellent Sprays
Natural liquid repellents made with essential oils, citrus oil, or vinegar can be sprayed around nests to irritate bees and cause them to avoid the area. Direct sprays work best versus area sprays. Peppermint, lemongrass, eucalyptus, garlic, and citrus oils make effective bumble bee repellents.
6. Apply Diatomaceous Earth
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth powder directly into the nest entrance. The sharp edges of the powder cut and damage the bees’ exoskeletons, leading to dehydration and death within 48 hours. Apply the dust liberally at night to get the best results.
7. Call a Pest Control Professional
For severe infestations, the best option is calling a licensed pest control professional. They have commercial-grade pesticides and powerful vacuum equipment to remove bees and their nests. This is the fastest way to get rid of bumble bees but also the most expensive. Expect to pay $250 or more for professional bumble bee removal services. Only use pest control companies that practice live bee removal instead of exterminating them.
Bumble Bee Pest Control Tips
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Always wear protective clothing such as a bee suit, veil, thick gloves, and closed toe shoes when applying pest control treatments. This prevents painful stings.
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Perform treatments at night when foraging bees are inside the nest. This minimizes your exposure.
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Regularly inspect the property 1-2 times per week to find and treat new nests before they expand. Preventative pest control is important.
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Avoid using harsh pesticides that could contaminate the soil, pets, or harm beneficial insects and wildlife.
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After removal, fill in cavities and holes where nests were located so new bees won’t move in.
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When possible, opt for bee removal instead of extermination. Bumble bees are important native pollinators.
Bumble bees are incredibly beneficial to gardens, farms, and the environment, so they should not be killed indiscriminately. However, nests located too close to human activity do pose a sting risk and should be removed as soon as they are detected. There are many humane bumble bee pest control options available that will motivate them to safely relocate their colony away from your home. With some persistence and preventative pest control measures, you can peacefully coexist with bumble bees!
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FAQ
How do you get rid of bumblebees?
What is the best insecticide for bumblebees?
Why are there so many bumble bees around my house?
What is killing bumble bees?
How do you get rid of bumble bees?
Turn on your sprinklers or use a hose to saturate the ground. Bumble bees are a type of ground bee which means they dig through loose soil to make their nests underground. When you flood their nests with water the bees will either drown or move somewhere drier. You may need to do this every few days until the bumble bees are gone.
Do bumblebees require pest control?
If control is necessary for bumblebees, your pest management professional will have the proper safety and control equipment to get the job done effectively and efficiently. They will seal holes, cracks, and gaps in structures so bumblebees are not able to build a nest in voids or other structure related locations.
How can I control bumblebees?
If necessary, controlling bumblebees involves both proactive and preventive measures, as well as the use of insecticides as a last resort. Some effective prevention and control methods include an inspection and management plan prepared by your pest management professional.
How can I get rid of bumblebees from their nest?
To get rid of bumblebees from their nest, avoid locations close to it and consider using insecticide dusts or liquid sprays. Dust formulations applied at the nest entrance typically work best. Wait until you no longer see any bumblebees entering or exiting the nest before sealing the nest opening. Orkin Pros are trained to help manage bees of all kinds.
Can bumble bees be exterminated?
If you call a pest control company and they identify the bees in your yard as bumble bees or honey bees, they will not exterminate them. Instead, they will contact, or have you contact, local beekeepers. Using a bait trap, the beekeepers will coax the bee colony out of the hive and into a box hive.
Does vinegar kill bumble bees?
Vinegar is highly acidic and can harm plants if you get any on them or use too much on the nearby soil. As a result, this method is better used on structures such as walls or woodpiles. Once the bumble bees are gone, you’ll need to ensure they don’t return to previous nesting spots. This is a very simple matter. Want to Let the Pros Handle It?