8 Effective Ways To Get Rid Of Ground Bees Without Killing

Ground bees are helpful pollinators, but they can be a nuisance by damaging households. So, you might be asking how to get rid of ground bees naturally without killing them.

That’s what I am going to talk about in this post. Also, I will discuss with you the factors you need to consider while trying to eliminate ground bees.

If you are sure that you have to force these creatures to leave your yards. Then you can follow any of the 8 ways to get rid of ground bees without killing them.

 

 

 

Why Do Bees Live In The Ground?

The main reason bees live on the ground or close to the ground is for the availability of food sources. Also, for nesting on the ground, there is no competition.

Honey bees need suitable nesting sites. But ground bees have a lot of choices for nesting sites.

They can create their nest in the ground cavity, tree cavity, or in holes in wood or bamboo. Moreover, ground-nesting bees are mostly solitary in nature. So, they don’t require a large space to create their nest. They can create their nest in a small hole created by other predators.

So, there is no competition for nesting. Also, ground bees don’t solely depend on flowers. They also eat small insects, fallen fruits, etc. Because of these reasons, these special types of bees live in the ground.

 

 

 

Is Killing Ground Bees Legal?

The straight answer is no. Ground bees are not harmful. Moreover, they are very helpful for our ecosystem. This is why you shouldn’t kill them.

Most of the ground bees are pollinators. But there are still some non-pollinating ground bees too, but they aren’t harmful.

Moreover, ground bees usually don’t stay long. So, if ground bee nests are not in a location that can be a problem for you, you shouldn’t bother them.

 

 

How Long Do Ground Bees Stay

Usually, ground bees stay between 4 weeks to a maximum of 8 weeks. They won’t last more than that. Ground bees usually appear during spring. Then they leave the place within the next 2 months.

They emerge at a new location approximately every 6 weeks. They usually stay around during warmer months. But when winter appears they leave the place. Emerge to a new location where still warm. 

As ground bees don’t stay long, if possible try to avoid bothering them. If their nest site is in a weird location that is a problem for you then you can try to remove them.

 

 

Do Ground Bees Sting?

Only female ground bees can sting. Male ground bees don’t have a stinger. But they start chasing animals or humans to drive fear. 

Every animal is concerned about protecting their family. Ground bees are not more exceptional than that. So, they will be defensive if you try to destroy their house. Otherwise, they are totally harmless.

Female ground bees are capable of stinging multiple times. So, they won’t leave their sting while stinging their enemy. As a result, their sting is comparatively less poisonous.

But there are some aggressive bees that live in the ground. The most dangerous one of them is the Africanized honey bee. 

 

 

 

How To Get Rid Of Ground Bees Naturally

If ground bees become a serious problem for you, then you might need to get rid of them. But you shouldn’t try any dangerous way that can be deadly for them.

There are plenty of natural ways to get rid of ground bees without killing them. 

Here I am discussing with you the 8 most effective ways to get rid of ground bees naturally. I have tested most of these methods and these work for me. So, if you can try them properly you will also be able to get rid of them.

 

 

1) Use Natural Deterrents

You can drive ground bees away by using natural deterrents. For this method, you have to do 2 things.

1. First, learn what attracts ground bees to your yards. Try to remove those things from your yards.
2. Ground bees don’t like some smells at all. Try to place those elements in your yard.

 

 

What Attracts Ground Bees?

There are plenty of things around that can attract ground bees to your yard. Ground bees are mainly attracted to pollinating flowering plants. They are also attracted to:

• Dry, sandy, or loose soil for nesting.
• Having fresh water sources around.
• Sunny place.
• Bricks, logs, or rocks that can provide shelter.
• Soil cavity made by other animals.

So, if you want to keep ground bees away from your yard, you should minimize these features in your yard. But you can make a garden away from your yard. So, bees will be attracted to that garden instead of creating their nest in your yard.

Plant more pollinating flowering plants. Make sure enough sunlight in your garden. If possible, place a water source and keep the soil lossy, dry, or sandy.

By doing so, you will prevent ground bees from creating their nest in your yard or household. Also, you will help them to work for the welfare of our environment.

 

 

What Smells Do Bees Hate?

Though bees are attracted to flowers, they also hate some smells. Here are some natural repellents for bees that they do not like. 

1. Lemon.
2. Peppermints.
3. Cinnamon.
4. Eucalyptus.
5. Garlic.
6. Essential oils.
7. Vinegar.

 

 

2)Use Vinegar

Vinegar can be a great deterrent for ground bees. If you can use vinegar with water properly, you will be able to get rid of them perfectly. You just have to follow a few simple steps to get rid of ground bees using vinegar.

 

 

How To Get Rid Of Ground Bees With Vinegar

To get rid of ground bees using vinegar, you will require the following preparation first.

• Use protective gear if you see that the bees are aggressive.
• A spray bottle.
• Water and Vinegar.

After taking the necessary preparation, you can follow the steps below.

1. Mix water and vinegar in the spray bottle in a 2:1 ratio. Shake it properly and mix them well.
2. Now spray the mixture at the entrance of every hole where you feel the presence of bees.
3. You might be required to spray this mixture for 3 consecutive days until they are all gone.

 

 

 

3)Use Bleach Water

Bleach water can effectively help you to get rid of ground bees. It is almost a guaranteed way to get rid of ground bees permanently. But while using bleach water, you should be careful. Make sure you don’t use hard bleach water.

 

 

Will Bleach Kill Ground Bees

Yes, using a high concentration of bleach water will kill ground bees. This is why you shouldn’t use high concentrations of bleach water. You can use bleach water following the instructions below:

• Step-1: Take a spray bottle.
• Step-2: Add Vinegar and water in a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio.
• Step-3: Mix well.
• Step-4: Now spray the mixture in the late evening or at night at the entrance of the ground bee’s nest.

Ground bees can’t tolerate bleach water. So, if you use a light concentration of bleach water, bees will run away. Also, they will never be back in your yards again.

Using high-concentration bleach will kill bees. So, always use a light concentration of bleach water.

 

 

4)Wash Them With Water

This is also a simple way to get rid of ground bees. Identify the ground bee nests. Then, using a watering pot splash them.

 

Ground bees like dry, sandy, or loose soil. Watering your yards at least twice per week will keep the soil soft. This will prevent ground bees from nesting in your yards.

Also, a water flow will force existing ground bees to leave your yards.

 

 

 

5) Plant Ground Bee Repelling plants

You can cultivate some plants in your yard that ground bees do not like at all. Plants like mint, basil, thyme, etc. are natural repellent plants for ground bees. You can also cultivate grass in your yards.

Having your yards covered by grass will give no chance for ground bees to nest. So, you can also cultivate grass in your yards to prevent bees from creating nests there.

 

 

 

6)Use Spray

You can use gasoline spray to get rid of ground bees. I have discussed in another post how you can use gasoline to get rid of ground bees. You can also try the following spray to get rid of ground bees in your yard.

1. Starting fluid: Starting fluid can be deadly for bees. So, before using this deterrent for removing ground bees, you should take necessary precautions first.
2. Insecticidal dusts: This can also be deadly for them. You can purchase insecticidal dust from online stores or local shops in your region. Never apply it directly to bees. Just spray a little at the entrance of the ground bee nest. 
3. Break cleaner: Yes, break cleaner can also be a deterrent for bees. But before using break cleaner for removing ground bees, you need necessary precautions first.

You will find a lot of other sprays for removing ground bees. But never apply those directly to bees. Because it could be deadly for them. So, always apply it at the entrance of the nest. It will effectively remove them forever.

 

 

 

7) Use Bee Vacuum

You can also use a bee vacuum to catch ground bees. But you should be careful while doing this. Because vacuuming bees can kill them. This is why you should learn how does bee vacuum works and how to use it properly.

 

 

You will be easily able to catch bees by using a bee vacuum properly. If you can’t purchase a bee vacuum, you can build one using a normal vacuum cleaner.

 

 

8) Call For Experts

If you are unable to get rid of ground bees by the above 7 discussed methods, you should call for pest control experts. Professional pest control service providers will help you to get rid of ground bees.

Also, they will take the necessary steps to make sure the bees aren’t back in your yards again. You can also call local beekeepers in your region. They can help you get rid of ground bees naturally.

 

After removing ground bees, make sure to take the necessary steps to prevent ground bees from returning again.

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, so far you learned how to get rid of ground bees naturally without killing them. Remember they are beneficial for our ecosystem. We should not kill them. If they become a problem for you try natural ways to drive them away.

Built a flowering garden so that ground bees live in your garden, not in your yard. Also, remove bricks and rocks from your yards regularly.

Make sure to wash your yards at least once per week. If needed, plant trees like basil in your yards.

Whatever you are doing to get rid of ground bees, just don’t kill them. Make sure your process is safe for them. Because they are very helpful for our environment.