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Those pesky bees! They like to come out of hiding in the early spring, so it’s likely that they’re already out and about now that it’s summer. You may already be struggling to keep these cute little bumbling things out of your garden or home. If so, read on for some safe and humane ideas.
Look around before calling a pest control service. You might be able to fix the problem yourself. You might be able to save time and money by doing it yourself, but the best pest control companies also know safe ways to get rid of or move bees.
But how do you get rid of bees in a moral way? If you don’t have a friend who keeps bees, then why are you reading this? Before you call a pest control company, try these simple, quick ways to get rid of bees at home.
Ground bees can be a real nuisance in your yard or garden. These bees live in colonies underground so it’s not obvious where their nests are. Ground bees aren’t aggressive like yellowjackets but if their nest is disturbed they will become very defensive of it. The good news is that vinegar is an effective and natural way to get rid of ground bees without the use of harsh chemicals. Keep reading for step by step instructions on using vinegar to eliminate ground bee nests and prevent them from returning.
Why Vinegar Works on Ground Bees
Vinegar is a simple but powerful home remedy for getting rid of ground bees. The reason it works so well is because of its high acidity. Vinegar contains acetic acid which is toxic to bees upon contact. The acidic vinegar dissolves the outer coating of bees and dehydrates them. It also ruins the pheromone trails that ground bees use to communicate with each other. Vinegar can repel bees away from an area as well as kill them directly. Both apple cider vinegar and white vinegar work for this purpose.
How to Find the Nest
The first step is locating the exact spot where the ground bees are nesting. Look for areas of bare soil that have a small, circular hole about the size of a quarter. You may see the bees flying in and out of the hole. Ground bee nests are often found around trees, stumps, edges of gardens, or sides of buildings. Watch the bees’ patterns of flight to determine where their entry hole is. Once you’ve identified the location, you can start the process of eliminating them with vinegar.
Making a Vinegar Spray
For the best results, use full strength vinegar in a spray bottle rather than diluting it with water. Simply fill the bottle with undiluted white or apple cider vinegar. This higher concentration of acid will kill bees more effectively and make it nearly impossible for them to return and re-colonize. Shake the bottle to mix the vinegar before spraying.
How to Apply the Vinegar
With your vinegar spray in hand, approach the nest entrance carefully. Aim the nozzle directly at the entry hole and any bees you see flying around it. Saturate the area thoroughly, spraying into the hole and all around it where bees may land. The vinegar will cause the bees to drop and die quickly on contact due to its harsh acidity.
Be cautious of bee stings and retreat if they start swarming aggressively. You may need to reapply the vinegar several times to get rid of them all. It’s best to spray in the evening when most of the bees have returned to the nest. vinegar near the entry points over the next few days if you continue to see bee activity. This will help deter any remaining ones from re-entering and establishing a new colony.
Other Ways to Use Vinegar on Ground Bee Nests
In addition to spraying vinegar directly on active nests, you can also use it to prevent ground bees from coming back in the future:
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Pour vinegar around potential entry points and previously used holes. The odor serves as a repellent.
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Mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part water in a spray bottle. Apply this vinegar solution to areas where you’ve had problems with ground bees to deter them.
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Place cotton balls soaked in vinegar around yard edges or potential nesting sites. The vinegar smell drives bees away.
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Spray undiluted vinegar over the soil after removing or treating an active nest. This disinfects the area to prevent a new colony.
When to Apply Vinegar Treatment
The best time to use vinegar on ground bee nests is in the evening or early morning when most of the colony is present but inactive. Avoid treating nests on rainy, windy, or cold days when bees are more defensive. Never spray into nests during the day when bees are busily foraging, as this will disrupt the colony and provoke attacks.
Treating nests as early as possible in spring or summer gives the best chance of destroying them before population sizes become very large. You may need to re-apply vinegar every few days for complete control if it’s a big, well-established nest. Be persistent and don’t give up too soon.
Protecting Yourself During Treatment
When using vinegar around ground bees, make sure to take some safety precautions:
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Wear shoes, long pants, long sleeves, and protective goggles. Tuck pants into socks.
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Work slowly and deliberately when spraying nests to avoid provoking mass attacks.
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Have an emergency epinephrine pen like an EpiPen ready if you are allergic to bee stings.
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Carefully monitor children and pets when applying vinegar spray around nest areas.
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Retreat and wait a while if bees become overly aggressive before attempting to spray again.
Why Vinegar is Safer Than Pesticides
Getting rid of ground bees with vinegar is preferable to using harsh chemical pesticides for many reasons:
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Vinegar is non-toxic to people, pets, and plants. Pesticides can be hazardous if used improperly.
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Overuse of pesticides can contaminate groundwater and harm beneficial insect populations, while vinegar has minimal environmental impact.
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Vinegar is inexpensive, readily available, and easy to use. Specialized pesticides can be expensive and challenging to apply correctly.
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Pesticide use can just disperse bees to another location rather than eliminating the colony. Vinegar destroys nests more effectively.
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Vinegar’s lingering odor prevents nests from re-forming, while pesticides may require repeat treatments.
So if you want to get rid of ground bees safely and naturally, vinegar is definitely the best DIY option to turn to. With some strategic spraying, you can keep these nuisance bees away from your property for good.
How to get rid of bees
Honey, drinks, food, and nectar from flowers are all things that most bees like because they are sweet. Honey bees and carpenter bees may come to your garden. Carpenter bees will probably build their nests in nearby trees or wooden structures. If you have a bee problem inside, you might want to look for a hidden carpenter bee nest.
If you think there are bees in your home, there are a few things you should do right away. The first thing you need to do is make sure you have bees. Other pests, like wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets, look a lot like bees and are easy to mistake for the flying yellow guys.
Start by getting to the root of the bee problem
How can you tell the difference between bees and other flying bugs? If you can see one of the bugs that is living in your home, look for certain things. Wasps and hornets are typically narrow-waisted and hair-free, while bees are more plump and fuzzy. Wasps are also brighter in color, with clear yellow bands around their bellies, while bees may be a duller brown or yellowish color. Both hornets and yellow jackets are usually bigger, brighter and more aggressive than bees.
Your next job is to find the source of the problem. If you see a lot of bees, there may be a nest nearby. Look in dark, safe places like tree hollows, under porches, or under eaves. If you don’t find a nest, that’s great! One less thing to worry about. Keep reading for ways to keep bees from coming to your house or yard when it’s warm outside.
If you do find a nest, remember to keep a safe distance so as not to rile the insects and risk getting stung. Keep pets and small children clear of the nest. Then consider finding a local beekeeper to come and safely relocate the nest. Bee Culture has a nifty search tool for finding beekeepers across the US, but many states also have an online directory you can check, such as the New York State Beekeeper Club Directory.
Remember, bees are an important part of our ecosystem, so safe removal options should be your top priority.
Does vinegar get rid of ground bees?
FAQ
Will vinegar make bees go away?
What is the best homemade bee killer?
Does vinegar kill yellow jackets in the ground?
How do you get rid of bees with vinegar?
To get rid of bees with vinegar, start out by mixing one part vinegar with four parts water. Then, shake it together in a spray bottle, and spray the bees. This should kill them, or at least repel them. Vinegar is a great natural alternative to using pesticides, which are harmful to both bees and can be harmful to your health.
How do I remove a bee stinger?
Using a piece of gauze, your fingernail, or another instrument, you may scrape across the stinger to dislodge it from your skin. It is also possible to remove the stinger using tweezers or your fingernail. Acting soon is crucial.
Does white vinegar kill ground bees?
White vinegar is another common household ingredient that is known to ward off pesky insects like ground bees. In fact, it can be deadly to bees, which is why they tend to avoid it at all costs. A spray bottle can be used to apply a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water to nests or directly on the bees.
How do you get rid of ground bees with a vacuum?
Fill the vacuum bucket with soapy water approximately 2 inches deep. Extend the hose and place the vacuum nozzle next to the burrow or opening where the ground bees nest. Hold the nozzle in place using a tape or heavy object. When you run the vacuum, the sound is enough to disturb the bees and prompt them into action.
Does vinegar kill bumble bees?
Honey bees typically build nests above the ground, either in trees or overhangs. When using vinegar specifically against honey bees, you should spray onto the bees, as well as into their nest. Does Vinegar Get Rid of Bumble Bees?
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.