7 Proven Ways to Prevent Ground Bees From Returning

Ground bees are the greatest pollinators. Their contribution to the environment is undeniable. Still, they can be trouble for you if their nesting site is inside or close to your house.

You might remove them once. But it doesn’t guarantee that they won’t return again. There is still a chance that they will return next year. So, you need to know “how to prevent ground bees from returning again”.

It’s really difficult to find an effective way to prevent ground bees from coming back. That’s why I am here to help you.

In this article, we will explore ways to get rid of ground bees naturally without killing them. Then I will share with you 7 different ways to prevent ground bees from returning ever again.

Most of these methods were tried and found effective by me. Following these formulas, I am able to keep my house free from ground bees. Hopefully, these methods will help you too.

The best and effective way to prevent ground bees from coming back is by providing ground bee nesting sites away from house, and eliminating all nesting sites inside and around the house.

 

Ground bees are pollinators and very helpful to nature. So, you should save them, not kill them.

If you are having ground bees and they are causing trouble, try to get rid of them naturally. Never ever think of killing them. Because killing ground bees means you are damaging nature.

 

 

 

What Are Ground Bees

Ground bees are a type of bee that builds their nests underground rather than in hives or above-ground cavities. They dig small tunnels in dry, loose soil where they lay eggs and raise their broods.

Unlike honey bees, most ground bees are solitary, meaning each female creates and tends to her own nest.

Ground bees are often seen in early spring when females search for nesting spots. While they can be alarming to see flying low over the lawn, most ground bee species are not aggressive and will only sting if provoked. However, a few types can be more defensive, especially if they live in large colonies.

 

Different Types of Ground Bees

There are basically 5 most common types of ground bees around.

 

1. Miner Bees (Andrena spp.): Small to medium-sized solitary bees that dig tunnels in sandy or loose soil. They are active in early spring and rarely sting. Not aggressive.
2. Sweat Bees (Halictidae family): Tiny, metallic-looking bees often attracted to human sweat. They nest in soil and are generally non-aggressive, but they may sting if handled roughly.
3. Digger Bees (Anthophora spp.): Robust, hairy bees that resemble bumble bees. They create burrows in the ground and are gentle in nature. Not harmful unless provoked.
4. Bumble Bees (Bombus spp.): Some bumble bee species nest underground, often in abandoned rodent burrows. They are social and can be more aggressive when defending their colony. Their sting can be painful.
5. Yellow Jackets (Vespula spp.): Often mistaken for bees, these are actually wasps. Many species nest in the ground. They are highly aggressive, especially in late summer, and their stings are painful and can be dangerous for allergic individuals.

 

 

 

Will Ground Bees Go Away on Their Own?

Yes, in most cases, ground bees will go away on their own. Ground bees are solitary and won’t stick around for long. Within 4 to 8 weeks, they will emerge at a new location.

Usually, ground bees don’t stay in the same place for the next season. They will emerge in new locations in almost every single season.

They are most likely to disappear from your area within 28 to 42 days. In some cases, this duration can be up to 56 days and not more than that. 

Ground bees don’t lead a colonial life like honey bees. They don’t have any queens. Every single female ground bee is capable of breeding. So, every female ground bee lays eggs, and they take care of their family on their own.

As soon as their family member increases, a portion of the entire colony moves to a new location. This is their rule due to their solitary nature.

Male ground bees are most of the time outside the nest and waiting to mate with female ground bees.

Whenever their colony expanded, they would move to a new location. Also, with the change of season, they will emerge to a new suitable location for expanding their existence.

 

 

 

How To Get Rid of Ground Bees Naturally?

If ground bees have created a nest inside your house, it can be a problem for you. In such a case, you have to get rid of ground bees naturally without killing them.

Remember, ground bees are very helpful to nature. They are also safe because ground bees can not sting. Only female ground bees have stinger, but they are unlikely to use their sting.

In case you have any of the aggressive ground bees type then it can be a trouble for you. Otherwise, if you don’t disturb ground bees, they won’t bother you either. 

However, if ground bees are still causing trouble for you, you might have to remove them. The following are safe methods to get rid of ground bees naturally without killing them:

1. You can use bleach water.
2. Water the ground bee nest area using water pots.
3. Use carpenter bee traps.
4. Spray vinegar and water bottle at the entrance of the nest.
5. Place cinnamon at the entrance of the bee nest.
6. Hire a pest control expert.

 

 

 

Why Do I Keep Getting Ground Bees?

You are getting ground bees because around your house, there are suitable nesting sites for ground bees. Ground bees like to create nests near pollinating plants, on rocks, and in lossy soil.

If they find a similar kind of spot around, they will definitely try to create a nest there.

 

Also, if ground bees created a nest once, it is possible they will create nests in the same spot the next year. Because ground bees can identify their previous infestation area with the help of pheromones.

Also, other ground bees can identify such areas where previously ground bee nests were created. As a result, new ground bees can get attracted to the same area.

Ground bees are most active during the spring season. So, if you have a suitable location for ground bee nesting around. You might have a chance of getting ground bees in your area.

Ground bees like to create their nest that has one or more of the following.

1. Lossy soil.
2. Spring crops around.
3. Sunny place.
4. Rock or fallen wooden materials.
5. Old drywall.
6. Any dry places.

 

 

 

How To Prevent Ground Bees From Returning

The best way to prevent ground bees is by removing ground bee-suitable nest sites. If your area has a lot of suitable nest sites for ground bees, they will definitely create a nest there. 

Remember, not all ground bees are harmful. So, if you don’t disturb them, they won’t harm you. In case their nest is in a place that your family members frequently access, it could be a matter of worry.

If any of your family members, children, or pets accidentally harm the ground bee nest, they will sting them. This is why sometimes we have to remove them from that location.

But removing them once doesn’t mean they are gone forever. Ground bees can return again and again if they still find a suitable nest site. May not be the previous group, but this time, a new group of ground bees.

So, you might have to find ways to prevent ground bees from returning again. Here are 7 proven ways to prevent ground bees from coming back again.

 

 

1. Built A Nice Garden To Attract Ground Bees

To prevent ground bees from creating nests in your house, you have to give them alternating nesting sites. The best way to do so is to create a garden with a variety of plants.

Ground bees are attracted to places that have flowering plants around. Try to create a flowering garden at a safe distance from your house. You can follow my instructions to attract ground bees in your garden.

By creating such gardens, ground bees will choose that place for their nesting site. So, this will effectively prevent ground bees from returning to your indoor space again. Instead, they will bless your garden with their power of pollination.

I have a garden with trees that attract ground bees. This method really worked for me to keep ground bees outside. There are a few ground bee nests in my garden.

This is not just keeping ground bees away from my home. The pollination by ground bees also boosts blossom production in my garden.

 

 

2. Plant Ground Bee Deterrent Trees In Your Yard

Some plants deter ground bees. So, having such kind of trees in your yard will prevent ground bees from creating nests there.

The best way to do so is to have lemon grass in your yard. Or in the place where you don’t want to have ground bees.

You can also plant other trees like Mint, Lavender, Pine, etc. 

 

 

3. Regularly Water Your Yard

Ground bees like lossy and dry soil to build their nest. Watering the area where you don’t want them will not give them any spot for nesting. 

Actually, this is the most effective way to remove ground bee nests as well as to prevent them from creating nests again.

You don’t have to use a lot of water. Also, you don’t have to water the area regularly. Once or twice per week is enough to prevent ground bees from coming back.

 

 

4. Remove Rocks And Wooden Materials

Fallen rock piles and wooden materials are excellent nest sites for ground bees. So, if you are having rock piles in your yard, this might attract ground bees.

Also, ground bees can chew through the woods. So, if you have poor-quality wooden materials, this will also be an attractive nest site for them.

Make sure not to have such type of things around if you don’t want ground bees there. Ensuring this will maximize the chances of not having ground bees around.

 

 

 

5. If You Use DryWall For Your House, Use Good Quality Materials

Ground bees can create their nest inside an old drywall. Old drywall of poor condition will be easier for ground bees to chew.

This is why sometimes you might see a bee coming from a small hole in a drywall.

If you don’t want to see groundbees, use good-quality materials for your drywall. Also, make sure it has a high-quality plaster layer.

 

 

6) Use Ground Bee Deterrents

This is an excellent way to keep ground bees away. There are plenty of natural elements that repel ground bees. Which may include the following.

• Mint.
• Cloves.
• Lavender oil.
• Vinegar mixture.
• Diatomaceous Earth, etc.

You can use any of these natural deterrents to prevent ground bees from coming back. The 2 most effective deterrents to keep ground bees away are vinegar mixture and diatomaceous earth.

 

 

Use Of Vinegar Mixture To Prevent Ground Bees from Coming Back

 

Vinegar mixture is an excellent way to prevent ground bees from returning again. You can use it according to the instructions below.

1. Take a spray bottle.
2. Add vinegar and water with a ratio of 1:2.
3. Shake well.
4. Then apply it in the spot where you don’t want ground bees.

You don’t have to do it on a regular basis for the entire year. Just apply them once in 15 days during spring. Because Spring is the breeding season for ground bees.

 

 

Use of Diatomaceous Earth To Prevent Ground Bees from Returning

Diatomaceous earth is an effective deterrent for ground bees. Purchase food-grade diatomaceous earth and sprinkle it in the soil region where you don’t want ground bees.

 

Diatomaceous earth creates a layer above the soil that prevents ground bees from creating their nest.

Make sure to use only food-grade diatomaceous earth. Also, sprinkle diatomaceous earth once during the spring. If there is rain, then you might sprinkle it again when the soil gets dry after the rain.

 

 

7. Call a Professional Pest Control Expert

If you want the most reliable and safest way to prevent ground bees from returning, hiring a licensed pest control specialist is your best option. Professionals have the tools, techniques, and knowledge to handle the situation without harming your property or the environment.

This method is especially important if you have had ground bee infestations multiple times in the same spot.

Recurring infestations often mean there is an underlying reason, such as soil type, moisture level, or hidden nesting spots that only an expert can accurately identify.

A pest control professional will not only remove the existing bees but will also implement targeted measures to stop them from coming back.

They can seal potential nesting sites, treat the soil, and recommend long-term preventive strategies tailored to your specific property.

By trusting a specialist, you will get peace of mind knowing the problem is handled effectively and safely. So, if you want a guaranteed method to prevent ground bees from coming back, you should try this method.

 

 

 

Conclusion About How to Prevent Ground Bees from Returning

Hopefully, these 7 proven ways to prevent ground bees from returning will be helpful for you. But be sure to apply these methods only in the area where bees can be a problem for you.

Ground bees are really important for our nature. If they are not harmful to you, kindly leave them alone. They will go away on their own. They won’t live in your place forever.

Whenever you try to deter them from any location, at least try to provide them with an alternative nesting site. Ground bees are safe and helpful.

Having ground bees will seriously bless your garden too. Lastly, never ever think of killing these friendly teeny creatures.

Now you can check another interesting fact: do bees like music?