Many ecosystems can’t exist without bees. And, unfortunately, their population is declining, and it may cause various environmental problems in the future. Although we should take care of these tiny insects, it doesn’t mean we need to share our living place with them.
Take into account that there are such species of ground bees that may cause damage to your property and even injure you or your family members. Fortunately, it’s possible to prevent these problems.
Being a professional entomologist, I have provided private pest control agencies with consultations and support on the ground bees subject from time to time. As I know everything about both urban and agricultural pests, I’ll help you get rid of ground bees as well as provide you with the necessary information about them.
- Put on gloves and cover your body.
- Find the burrows and cover them with earth or bricks.
- Use Minty Mixture.
- Water Your Lawn.
- Use Cinnamon.
- Install Zappers for Burrowing Bees.
- Prepare Soda Bottle Trap.
- Use Vinegar Spray.
- Purchase Ground Bee Insecticide.
- Further use repellents to repel bees.
Burrowing Bees Identification
There are several facts you need to take into consideration to ascertain successful ground-nesting bees identification. Get acquainted with the information provided below to make sure you have faced with this type of pests.
More than 70% of bees live in the ground. These insects have a lot of unique features. For example, as a rule, they are solitary nesters. It means that they don’t live together in one beehive. Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that you can’t find a lot of these insects living nearby in the same place.
There are various types of burrowing bees, but the most widespread are mining bees and leafcutters. Bear in mind that the last ones are often attracted by human sweat and may attack you. Oftentimes their thoraxes and abdomens are covered with hair. In addition, their color may vary in dependence on the type of ground bees. You may see bees that have yellow, black, red, and even metallic colors.
Also, they are small. Their length ranges from 0.125 inches to 0.5 inches. And it’s a no-brainer that burrowing bees live in the ground. They dig tiny holes that are only a few inches across. It’s possible to identify their habit area by discovering dirt piles around these small hideouts. Additionally, they prefer to settle in dryland rather than wet ground.
Why to Get Rid of Burrowing Bees?
Luckily, bees aren’t so aggressive as wasps or hornets. Also, usually, the males don’t have stingers, so they are safe for your health. At the same time, they may hurt a person or an animal in case they are provoked.
If you were stung by a ground bee, you might get a serious allergic reaction and even rashes. In this case, you need to call a doctor immediately and remove the stinger with tweezers or fingernails. Also, to avoid such an unpleasant situation, it’s recommended not to walk barefoot outdoor or touch live bees.
Although the ground bees aren’t very dangerous, there are many people who want to get rid of these pests. And it may be a great idea, especially if you have children that adore playing in the yard, and you don’t want them to be stung by a vexed bee.
Also, don’t forget that their nests may ruin your lawn. Fortunately, you can kill ground bees or make them fly away without any special skills or equipment.
Getting Rid of Ground Bees
There are 10 effective ways to cope with this problem. You can even try some methods listed below to get the desired results as soon as possible. Also, don’t forget to put on the gloves and cover your body before following some of these tips as the bees will get aggressive when you attack their nests.
1. Cover the Holes
In case you don’t want to kill bees and use pesticides, this method is just what you need. Find their holes and cover them with soil or bricks. In a few days, you’ll discover that the ground bees have left your lawn.
2. Use Minty Mixture
This is an amazing ground bee killer that can be prepared by any person. You’ll need 2 cups of peppermint castile soap and water. Mix these ingredients and pour the mixture in a spray bottle.
The great fact is that it can kill not only bees but also other dangerous and harmful insects. You’ll need to spray this mixture near the holes and pour some hot water in them to kill the pests.
3. Water Your Lawn
There is no need for killing ground bees with water. As it has been mentioned above, the bees built their beehives in dry soil. You can use this fact and start watering your lawn to keep it moist. Do it regularly to be sure that these tiny insects won’t disturb you anymore.
4. Use Cinnamon
Bees hate cinnamon. To get rid of them, you should sprinkle cinnamon powder near the holes to keep them away from your yards. Plus, it’s even possible to use cinnamon sticks to cope with this task.
Alternatively, you may place mothball or even chloroform near the habit area of ground bees. Take into account that this is one of the most effective, affordable, and easiest methods to protect your lawn from these pests.
5. Install Zappers for Burrowing Bees
If you’ve decided that you need complete ground bee extermination, this is a sure option. Zappers attract and kill any bug that comes in contact with them immediately. Also, they will help you to get rid of other annoying insects, including flies and wasps.
Make sure to check out my detailed review of the best bug zappers on the market.
6. Prepare Soda Bottle Trap
All that you need to make this trap is an empty soda bottle and some juice. First of all, you should cut the bottle in half. Then fill its bottom part with juice or sweet soda. When you do it, just put the trap near the bees’ holes and wait for some days. It’ll attract the pests, and they’ll drown there.
7. Use Vinegar Spray
The mixture consists of vinegar and water mixed in equal parts. Pour it in a spray bottle and shake it. In the night, you’ll need to spray the mixture near every beehive in ground. In addition, if you want to get better results, you can spray it on the plants and flowers haunted by the bees.
8. Purchase Ground Bee Insecticide
This is a great option for a person who wants to use an insect killer. However, it’s better to select organic products. They are safer and have less harmful side-effects. For example, you can choose Drione Insecticide Dust, a reliable ground bee insecticide that has a lot of positive reviews.
Best Ground Bee Killers
It includes a low percentage of chemical inputs and won’t damage your lawn. Plus, this is truly the best way to kill ground bees within the shortest possible time and without any difficulties.
9. Plant New Herbs
If you wonder how to get rid of ground bees without killing them, this method is an ideal choice for you. Many plants and herbs can protect your area from bees. You may plant eucalyptus or peppermint to ensure complete protection of your lawn or garden.
Additionally, it’ll be a great idea to cover your yard with thick green grass that will complicate the burrowing of beehives. Furthermore, this is a great opportunity to improve the blossoming look of the garden.
10. Make Special Bee Spray
If you are not pleased with the methods provided above or don’t have enough money to buy pesticides, you can prepare DIY spray using improvised resources. Just take canella oil, mint oil, tea essential oil, and baby shampoo. Mix all the components and sprinkle the mixture over the chosen area. Wait for several days, and you’ll discover that the pests have left your lawn.
Remember that on no consideration you should start getting rid of ground bees if you haven’t protected your respiratory apparatus from mixtures, pesticides, and insecticides. Also, it’s not recommended to spray them during the windy weather.
And you should never pour genetic chemicals right into the bees’ nests. It’ll poison the ground and kill all plants and animals in the nearby area. What is more, it can cause fire and serious health problems.
How to Keep Burrowing Bees Away?
Although now you know how to kill ground bees, there are no doubts that it’s better just to prevent them. Due to some repellents, you can protect your area from these insects. However, you should use a reliable product to get the desired result.
There are two types of repellents. First of all, you may purchase some natural components and prepare DIY repellents. This is a great chance to save your money and get a 100% efficient product. In addition, these repellents will keep bees away while allowing them to fertilize flowers. Take the following ingredients:
- Cayenne pepper;
- Peppermint extract;
- Liquid detergent;
- Cinnamon;
- Water.
Mix all these ingredients and spray the mixture every day around your lawn. It’ll keep insects away while its preparation won’t come at a cost.
At the same time, there are commercial products that you can purchase in any household store. They go with the instructions you need to follow, so anyone can use them without problems. Also, it’ll be a good idea to read some reviews about this or that product on the Internet if you want to purchase a top-quality product. And in case you don’t want to waste your time, you can get acquainted with the list of the best repellents below.
1. Burt’s Bees for Complete Ground Bees Removal
This is an eco-friendly bee repellent that is safe for your health. It will protect you not only from bees but also from other bugs and mosquitos. You can just spray it near your house, and these pests will never disturb you again. Besides, you can cover your skin with this wonderful mixture to avoid unpleasant sting during your outdoor recreation.
2. Herbal Armor – Best Ground Bees Treatment
If you are looking for efficient and chip bee repellent, you need to check out this one. The manufacturer uses only top-quality ingredients that guarantee a high protection level. His repellent is absolutely safe for your relatives, and it can’t damage their health or clothes. Plus, its affordable price is just the icing on the cake.
3. Getting Rid of Ground Bees with Repellent
Perfect protection up to 6 hours will help you to go wherever you want without a fear of being stung by a bee. Furthermore, it’ll fresh up your skin as well as create a barrier to protect you from dangerous insects. Also, you can spray this repellent around the beehives to drive out the uninvited guests from your area.
Related Post:
- How to Get Rid of Ground Wasps
- 5 Most Effective Bee Killer Sprays Reviewed
- How to Get Rid of Bumblebees
Burrowing Bees FAQ
There are a lot of questions related to burrowing bees. Although it’s difficult to answer all of them, you can get acquainted with the short replies to the most popular ones.
1. What Type of Bees Nest in the Ground?
There are various types of bees that nest in the ground. However, the prevailing ones are sweat bees, plasterer bees, mining bees, and carpenter bees.
2. What to Use to Kill Bees That Live in the Ground?
If you need anything what kills ground bees, you have to buy any insecticide, pesticide or zapper. In case you don’t want to spend your money, you can prepare a trap for these pests.
3. How to Get Rid of Mining Bees?
It’s a no-brainer that the best way to get rid of mining bees is to use bee repellents or special insecticide sprays. Just diffuse them near beehives to get the desired result.
Final Notes
As you can see, there are so many ways that can help you forget about such problem as burrowing bees. You may try several methods to ensure complete success. And always remember about safety regulations when you use chemicals.
In case you don’t follow them, you may get serious injuries. Although right now you know how to get rid of ground bees naturally, you can also employ professionals to simplify this task. However, their services may be costly.
And do you know any other methods to get rid of mining bees? What repellents do you use to protect your lawn? Don’t forget to share your experience and some useful tips with me and other readers.
References:
- Ground nesting bees in your backyard! (Cornell University): https://entomology.cals.cornell.edu/extension/wild-pollinators/native-bees-your-backyard/
- Protecting Pollinators from Pesticides (University of Georgia):
https://bees.caes.uga.edu/bees-beekeeping-pollination/pollination/pollination-protecting-pollinators-from-pesticides.html
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Thank you for sharing this article Nicholas. This is great information. I have had a few encounters with the ground bee and wasp here in my Ohio garden. When I plant and do garden work these days I try to avoid creating a space these insects will love to dwell – which isn’t always easy to do. Making sure the area is watered well and not too dry has helped big time. When we did have the issue of wasp in the ground I simply put a few bricks on top of the hole and in a few weeks they were gone. Thank you again for sharing this post.
My yard has ground bees so bad that I can’t get anyone to mow it anymore! I am too old to mow it myself! I will try some of these ideas and let you know!
I have ground bees at the edge of my pond. So the ground is moist. They are small yellow & black. What kind of bees are they and how do i get rid of them
Mr. Martin,
We have ground bees in a single hole in an azalea bed. They appear to be very active forragers. My question is are that honey producing? Would they be forming comb underground? Would a beekeeper be able to entice them into a give body with low dose of Lennon grass oil and some built out honey frames (2) in a box? If so, I’d try this approach as opposed to killing.
Thank you!
Emil in Texas
I find this very helpful. It seems that I have 2 nest not far from each other.
One under a small pine that is in my landscaping and another, looks to be under the lip of my porch where the siding meets with the foundation.
Will any of this mixtures or sprays get rid of them?
Thanks