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The arrival of spring brings singing birds, butterflies, and various types of insects. It also brings pollinators in the form of bees, which homeowners are typically less eager to see. Ground bees are a species that typically comes out in early spring and digs holes in well-drained soil for solitary queens to build their nests. They are also called mining bees, digger bees, and honeybees. They aren’t usually mean, but seeing them in areas with a lot of traffic or yards where kids and pets are playing can be scary.
Getting rid of bees is important if you are allergic to them or just fear getting stung. A lot of dangerous wasps, like yellow jackets, will also build their nests in the ground near ground bee nests. Luckily, getting rid of ground nesting bees and keeping them away is a pretty easy process that you might be able to do yourself with some changes to your landscaping and bug spray. Here, we’ll talk about the signs of ground bees to help you rule out a more dangerous wasp species, show you how to get rid of ground bees, and give you tips on how to keep them from coming back next year.
Title: Eliminating Ground Bee Nests from Your Yard
Ground bees build their nests underground, digging tunnels and chambers to raise their young While usually docile, large nests can become a nuisance Use these methods to safely eliminate ground bee nests without chemicals.
Identify the Nest
Finding the main entrance hole is the first step in removing an underground bee colony. Ground bees create round, quarter-sized holes in lawns, gardens, or at the base of trees. Watch the area to see bees entering and exiting. Mark the hole so you can find it again.
Block Entrances
With the entrance located, block it with a heavy object like a brick or rock This traps bees inside and prevents new ones from taking up residence Avoid blocking holes in the heat of the day when bees are most active. Doing so overnight works best. Check other nearby holes as ground bees often have multiple access points.
Flood the Nest
Soaking the nest drives ground bees to abandon it. Attach a garden hose sprayer to your hose and adjust it to a strong, narrow stream. Aim the stream directly into the hole and let the water run for 20-30 minutes to flood the nesting chambers. Repeat daily until bees stop exiting the hole.
Use Repellents
Certain plants naturally deter bees from nesting nearby. Planting mint, lavender, eucalyptus and garlic around your yard discourages ground bee colonization. Concentrated extracts of garlic, peppermint, and cinnamon also repel bees. Mix 2-3 drops into 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Spritz repellent mixes directly into nest holes.
Apply Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a powder made from crushed fossils that kills insects. Apply DE into nest holes and surrounding soil. Bees track DE into the nest where it damages their exoskeletons and absorbs oils. Reapply DE after heavy rains. Wear a mask when handling to avoid breathing in the dust.
Use Vinegar
White vinegar kills ground bees and destroys nest scent markers. Make a 50/50 vinegar and water solution. Pour it directly into the nest entrance until saturated. The vinegar dissolves scents bees use to recognize their colony. Without scent markers, they abandon the nest.
Employ Soapy Water
Mix 2-3 tablespoons of dish soap with water in a spray bottle. Spray soapy water directly into active ground bee holes. The soap paralyzes their breathing holes causing suffocation. Repeat daily until bees no longer emerge from the nest.
Call a Pest Control Company
For large infestations, or if you are allergic to stings, call a professional pest control company. Experienced exterminators have commercial-grade insecticides and equipment to quickly and safely eliminate bee nests. This option avoids the hassle of DIY removal methods.
With persistence using these techniques, you can eradicate nuisance ground bee nests from your landscape. Blocking holes, flooding nests, and applying repellents will encourage bees to move on and find a new home elsewhere, returning your yard to a peaceful, pest-free state.
Signs of Ground Bee Nests
Different kinds of bees and wasps make their homes in the ground, so it’s important to know what kind of bee it is before you try to get rid of it. Ground bee nests are most likely to be seen in places with sandy, well-drained soil and not much plant life. Nests look like small piles of dirt with a single large nest hole in the center. Even though miner bees don’t live in colonies, you may see a lot of nests close to each other because the weather is good for building them.
Bees may be observed flying close to the ground and disappearing into the nests. The bees will not, however, swarm around a single ground bee nest or fly in and out of a nest several times. It is important to remember that later in the season, other bees may take over the nests that ground bees build. Finding nests early can help you stay away from a lot of ground bee nests and keep other bees and wasps from coming in.
Ground bees are most active in early spring when they emerge for mating and nesting season. They’re important in pollinating many spring plants and are only active for a few weeks each year. Since they’re not aggressive, ground bees are typically only a concern in heavily traveled areas.
Ground bees are vital pollinators for early-blooming spring plants. Some species of ground bees are specialist pollinators that only feed on one type of plant. At their busiest, ground bees are gathering pollen and nectar on warm, sunny days, which they bring back to their nests. The bees are usually seen flying low to the ground and often go unnoticed. They’re not aggressive unless provoked.
Ground bees emerge in spring and create nests in dry soil instead of building beehives above ground. They like places that get morning sun and don’t have many plants. Many nests may be spread out or grouped together in good places to nest. While many nests may be located close together, each bee has its own nest. Most ground bee nests are found in dry soil, but some species may build their homes in the hollow stems of plants or in wood.
Female ground bees have stingers, but they rarely sting humans. Occasionally, they may sting when they feel threatened near their nest. Most ground bee stings happen when the insects are being touched or stepped on. Males appear the most threatening, as they’re more likely to buzz around people. However, male ground bees are not a threat because they can’t sting. It’s generally safe to travel and work near ground bee nests. However, caution is advised to avoid making the bees feel threatened.
Preventing Future Ground Bee Nests
If you want to get rid of ground bees, like most other pests, it’s better to be safe than sorry. These bees choose your property because of ideal nesting conditions. You can encourage them to go elsewhere by making simple changes to your property.
You can eliminate their ideal habitats with a few easy yard modifications. Water your yard frequently during early spring, keeping the soil moist when possible. Consider installing a sprinkler if you can’t effectively keep your yard watered. If there are already old nests there, plug the hole so that bad bugs can’t get in and take over. In places where ground bees have lived in the past, plant thick grass or dense ground cover to make the area less appealing to the species. Once you get rid of the places where ground bees like to nest, you won’t see as many of them on your property every year.
Certain plants have a strong smell that acts as a natural repellent for ground bees. Putting eucalyptus, peppermint, or cucumber plants on your property that have strong smells will help keep the animals away. If plants aren’t an option, some common pantry staples can be a good substitute. When bees are active, sprinkle cinnamon or spray a solution of equal parts vinegar and water over places where ground bees like to nest often.
How To Get Rid Of Yellow Jacket / Ground Wasp Nest With ONE STEP!
FAQ
How do you get rid of an underground bees nest?
Can you flood out an underground bees nest?
How long do ground nesting bees stay?
Are ground bees aggressive?
How do you get rid of a bee nest?
Spray or pour the minty solution directly into the entrance of the ground bee nest to saturate it. This spray also works when sprayed directly onto the bee. White vinegar is a natural bee deterrent and killer. The acidic liquid dries out their exoskeleton and drives them out of their nest.
How do you get rid of bees in a garden?
Saturate the ground with water. Soak the ground with water to encourage the bees to leave. Ground bees prefer dry, loose soil, so if you use your sprinkler to saturate the ground, they’ll usually move on. Try to water as soon as you notice the bees, or in early spring, whichever is first.
Can you remove ground Bees on your own?
While it’s possible to remove ground bees on your own, it should be done with caution. Homeowners considering DIY bee removal have a few options: Vinegar spray: Vinegar can be lethal to bees and many other insect species. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and white vinegar. Spritz nests and any bees you see with the mixture.
How do I stop ground bees from nesting in my garden?
Using mulch in your garden is another way to discourage ground bees from nesting. Bee repellents and bee killers are also available to repel digger bees. If you’re concerned, use bee repellents to prevent ground bees and keep a bee killer on hand to get rid of bees that come into your yard immediately.
How do you get rid of digger bees?
Covering your yard in thick grass can also prevent ground bees from creating nests because they need access to soil to burrow and build nests. Using mulch in your garden is another way to discourage ground bees from nesting. Bee repellents and bee killers are also available to repel digger bees.
How do you find a bee nest in a garden?
Place several mothballs into a fine mesh bag. Find the location of the ground bee nest and push the stake end of a garden plant hanger into the ground beside it. Tie the mesh bag to the hook portion of the plant hanger so that it is hanging directly over the underground nest.