8 Effective Ways To Get Rid Of Ground Bees Without Killing

You might see little bees in your yards or in-ground and tree cavities. These bees become a trouble for you or your family. Now you might be thinking about how to get rid of ground bees.

That’s what I am going to talk about today. Also, I will discuss throughout the post every factor related to getting rid of ground bees.

If you are sure that you have to force these creatures to leave your yards. Then you can follow any of the 7 ways of getting rid of ground bees.

Also, these methods are free of harm for them. You will get rid of ground bees without killing them after following my instructions properly.

 

 

 

Why Do Bees Live In The Ground?

The main reason behind bees live in the ground or close to the ground is for the availability of food sources. Also, for nesting there is no competition. Because 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 woods or bamboo. Moreover ground-nesting bees are mostly solitary in nature. So, they don’t require any 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 type of bees lives 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 to a new location approximately every 6 weeks. They usually stay around within 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 any sting. But they start chasing animals or humans to drive fear. But they are totally unable to sting people.

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. So, their sting is comparatively less poisonous.

Even most of the female ground bees are not defensive at all. They will only sting you if you try to squeeze them in your hand. Eventually, they are comparatively less harmful to humans.

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

If you are encountered by such kind of bees you may have to get rid of them. As they are beneficial for our ecosystem you shouldn’t kill them. You should try natural available deterrents to get rid of them without killing them.

 

 

 

How To Get Rid Of Ground Bees Naturally

If ground bees become a serious problem for you then you can not but have 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. After removing them make sure to take necessary steps to prevent ground bees from nesting again.

Here I am discussing with you the 8 most effective ways to get rid of them 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 in 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 yards.

 

 

What Attracts Ground Bees?

There are plenty of things around that can attract ground bees in your yards. 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 yards. 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 yards.

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.

You can also place some natural deterrents whose smell bees do not like. So, using those natural deterrents will keep bees away from your house.

 

 

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. Vinegar.
7. Smoke produce by bee smokers.
8. Vinegar.

There are plenty of other natural repellents that bees might not like. Remember different ground bees may react differently with these smells. But in most cases, ground bees do not like these smells.

So, you can put these natural deterrents in your yard or in a location where you don’t want the presence of ground bees.

 

 

 

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. First, wear protective gear if the bees are aggressive. If you see the bees are not too aggressive then you might not require too much protection. Just wear long dresses to cover your whole body.
2. Mix water and vinegar in the spray bottle in a 2:1 ratio. Shake it properly and mix them well.
3. Now spray the mixture on every hole where you feel the presence of bees.
4. You might be required to spray this mixture for a few consecutive days until they are all gone.

When you see all of them are gone you should take necessary steps to prevent their return. Usually, when bees leave any place due to disturbance they never try to return to the same place. But still, try to fill the holes they created. This will make sure they’re not re-nesting in your yards.

 

 

 

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 of bleach will kill bees. So, always use a light concentration of bleach water as I said to you.

 

 

 

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) Plants 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 repelling 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 check this first.
2. Insecticidal dusts: These also can 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. They will come out and leave the place with the bad smell of the insecticidal dust.
3. Break cleaner: Yes, break cleaner can also be a deterrent for bees. But before using break cleaner for removing ground bees you must check my instructions 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.

But for ground bees definitely, it will be a time-consuming process to catch all of them. So, you have to be patient with this method.

 

 

 

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 to get rid of ground bees naturally.

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, 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 not deadly for them. Because they are very much helpful for our environment. Moreover, they will leave your place before the winter.