How to Remove Ground Bees?
If you spot small holes scattered across your lawn and notice bees hovering above the ground, they’re probably the ground bees. These bees often appear during spring and summer, especially in areas with untreated lawns and flowering plants.
What are Ground Bees
Unlike honeybees or wasps that live in big colonies, ground bees are usually solitary, meaning each female builds her own tiny nest instead of living with hundreds of others. These bees love dry and sunny areas with loose soil. You’ll often find their burrows in bare patches of your yard or garden. While they live alone, many of them might choose the same area to dig, which can make it look like an infestation.
Ground-nesting bees are generally peaceful pollinators. However, some species can sting and become a real nuisance. If you’re facing them, you’re likely wondering how to get rid of them. This is where most people get stuck, doing either too much or not enough. In this guide, we have discussed everything you need to know about removing ground bees safely and effectively.
Thinking about keeping bees? Learn everything you need to know in our guide on starting beekeeping.
Is It Really a Ground Bee?
Not every bee flying close to the ground is a ground bee. Sometimes, they might be yellowjackets or wasps. Knowing the difference helps you take the right steps and avoid panicking or harming harmless pollinators. Let’s break down how to identify them easily.
1. Ground Bees
- Usually solitary or live in small colonies.
- Gentle and non-aggressive unless provoked.
- Often appear fuzzy and resemble small honeybees.
- Common types: Bumblebees, Mining bees, Sweat bees.
You can spot ground bees by watching their nesting behavior. They dig tiny holes in the ground, often with a little pile of soil like a mini volcano at the entrance. You’ll see one bee going in and out of a single hole. They don’t share their burrows with others.
2. Yellowjackets (Ground Wasps)
- Highly aggressive and will attack in groups if disturbed.
- Smooth, shiny yellow-and-black bodies (no hair).
- Known for multiple stings and painful venom.
- Nest in holes, lawns, or under siding.
Learn about the lifespan of different types of bees in our article on how long do bees live. You can also find more about the life cycle of bees.
Safety Tips During Removal
Before you get close to any bee nest, safety should always come first. Ground bees are usually harmless, but being careful keeps you and the bees safe.
- Always work after dark when all wasps/bees are inside.
- Wear the right gear, a thick clothing, or a bee suit.
- Duct tape wrists and ankles to prevent stings.
- Keep pets and children indoors.
- Park your vehicle nearby with windows up for quick escape.
Natural Ways to Remove Ground Bees from Your Lawn
Natural removal methods are not about killing bees. They’re about encouraging them to relocate peacefully. After all, ground bees are important pollinators that play a big role in keeping your garden thriving.
Method 1: Soaking the Soil with Water
One of the easiest and most natural ways to get rid of ground bees is by using water. Ground bees prefer dry, sandy soil because it makes digging and nesting easier. So, by keeping the ground wet, you can make the area less comfortable for them and encourage them to move elsewhere.
To try this method, grab a garden hose or a water sprayer and soak the soil where you’ve spotted bee holes. Do this slowly and thoroughly once or twice a day for several days. The goal is to keep the soil damp long enough for the bees to realize it’s not a good nesting spot anymore.
Try this method early in the season when bees are just starting to build their nests. It’s far more effective before the colony grows.
Method 2: Dish Soap and Water Solution
If you’re looking for a slightly stronger method, a dish soap and water mix can do the job. The soap helps break down the bees’ waxy coating, making it uncomfortable for them to stay in their nests.
To prepare this, mix about two to three tablespoons of liquid dish soap with 1-gallon of water. Once you’ve made the mixture, pour it directly into the bee holes during the evening hours.
This method is simple, affordable, and uses household items most people already have. However, it’s best to use it carefully. It can kill ground bees instantly if sprayed directly on them. The soap solution should only be poured into the nest holes rather than sprayed widely, as it can also affect other helpful insects in your garden.
Method 3: Changing the Ground Surface
Another long-term way to manage ground bees naturally is by changing the look and texture of the soil. These bees love open, bare, and dry ground, so when you change the surface, you make it less appealing for them to dig burrows.
What do we usually do? We start by raking the area where the bees have built their nests. This disturbs their tunnels and makes it harder for them to return. After that, we cover the area with mulch, gravel, or landscape fabric. These materials make it nearly impossible for bees to dig new nests.
This method might take a little physical effort, but it’s eco-friendly and prevents future infestations without using any chemicals. It won’t instantly remove the bees already living there, but once they leave, they’re unlikely to come back.
Be patient when using natural or DIY approaches. These methods take time, but they’re much safer for your yard, your pets, and the environment than chemical sprays.
Method 4: Use Bee-Repelling Plant
If you don’t want to harm the bees but still want them to move elsewhere, plants can be your best friend. Some plants have strong scents that bees and other insects don’t like. By growing them in the right spots, you can naturally keep bees from hanging around your yard.
Try planting mint, citronella, marigolds, or even cucumber plants near areas where bees usually dig their nests. These plants give off smells that act like invisible fences.
Method 5: Using a Vinegar Solution
If you’re dealing with a small ground bee nest, a simple vinegar solution can be an effective and natural way to handle it. This method is widely used and recommended by pest control experts. It could also be effective in removing honeybees.
To try this method, pour a few cups of white vinegar directly into the nest hole. Then quickly cover it with dirt to seal the entrance. The strong smell and acidity of vinegar make the area unpleasant for bees, encouraging them to leave or preventing them from returning.
Some people also prefer to mix vinegar with water or a bit of cheap shampoo to make it easier to pour and spread. If you try this method, make sure to apply it at night when bees are less active and most of them are inside their burrows.
Method 6: Using Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth, the one we mostly use to remove the ground bees, is a natural and safe way without using harsh chemicals. To use it, sprinkle some food-grade diatomaceous earth around and inside the entrance of the bee holes. When the bees crawl through it, the powder adheres to their bodies and slowly dehydrates them, which helps eliminate the colony over time. For the best results, we reapply a light layer of the powder every day, especially after rain or watering, until we no longer see bee activity around the nest.
It’s important to use food-grade diatomaceous earth (Check on Amazon), not the one meant for pools, as that one isn’t safe for pets or people.
This method takes a little patience, but it’s eco-friendly, gentle on the environment, and effective when done consistently.
Strong Methods to Kill or Get Rid of Ground Bees
1. Using Insecticide Dust
If natural methods don’t do the trick and the bees keep coming back, insecticide dust can be a stronger option. Professionals often recommend products like Drione Dust or Sevin Dust because they’re designed to reach deep inside the burrows where the bees live.
To use this method, you’ll need a bulb duster, which is a small tool that lets you puff the dust directly into the nest entrance. Just a few gentle puffs are usually enough. The dust sticks to the bees as they move in and out, spreading it throughout the nest and eventually wiping out the colony.
While this method is effective, it’s best used only when the infestation is large or poses a real problem, since insecticides can affect other beneficial insects, too. It also works as an instant killer for ground bees.
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2. Boiling Water Method
One of the simplest ways people use to get rid of ground bees is by pouring boiling water directly into their nesting holes. The heat either kills the bees inside or forces them to leave the area. However, you need to be very careful with this method.
Boiling water can burn you if spilled and may also damage nearby grass or plants, leaving brown patches in your lawn. It’s a quick fix but not the eco-friendliest option, so it’s best used only when you need to act fast or if the nest is in an area you don’t mind damaging a little.
3. Using a Shop-Vac
To use this method, take a shop-vac, which is a strong vacuum cleaner. Place its nozzle carefully near the entrance of the ground bee nest. The suction pulls the bees out of their nest and into the vacuum. We generally use this method when we don’t want to affect the other biodiversity with spraying harmful chemicals.
After the bees are sucked up, you can either release them far away from your home or dispose of them safely. It’s mostly used for small nests, because bigger nests can be tricky and dangerous to vacuum.
4. Using Borax
Using borax is a slower but effective way to kill ground bees over time. The powder works by dehydrating and poisoning the bees when they come into contact with it or take it back to their nest. To use it, you can sprinkle a small amount of borax powder mixed with sugar near the nest entrance to attract them. It’s best applied in the evening when bees are inside their burrows.
However, borax should be used carefully. It’s toxic to all insects, including beneficial ones. It can harm other pets and even plants if overused. We recommend using the borax only when other natural methods haven’t worked.
5. Wasp and Bee Foam
Wasp and Bee Foam is a quick way to get rid of ground bees. When sprayed directly into the nest entrance, the foam expands, trapping and killing the bees inside. It works best at night or early morning when they’re less active. While it’s very effective, it should be used only as a last resort since it’s not an eco-friendly option. It kills the bees rather than encouraging them to leave.
When It’s Time to Call a Professional
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, ground bees can be too much to handle on your own. That’s when calling in a professional pest control expert is the safest and smartest move. Other reasons that call for a Pro are as follows.
If someone in your home has a serious bee allergy, don’t take any chances, as one sting could be dangerous. You should also call a pro if you’re not sure what kind of insects you’re dealing with. Ground bees are usually gentle, but they can easily be mistaken for yellow jackets or hornets, which are way more aggressive.
When there are too many nests to control, or if the bees keep coming back every spring, that’s another sign you might need expert help. And if they’ve made nests in hard-to-reach places like near wiring, decks, or walls, it’s better to let professionals handle it safely.
What Professionals Do
A licensed pest control expert or local beekeeper will first inspect the area to figure out exactly what species you’re dealing with. They’ll explain the situation, discuss safe removal options, and offer the best long-term plan to keep bees from returning.
Many professionals now provide eco-friendly or humane relocation services, which means the bees are moved instead of being harmed.
If you prefer a safe and humane approach, you can learn how to relocate bees by checking out our guide on moving beehives.
Methods You Should Avoid
While it might be tempting to use quick, harsh methods you see online, some of them are actually very dangerous for you, your yard, and the environment.
Don’t Use Gasoline
Never use gasoline, diesel, or any other flammable liquid to remove ground bees. Although some might recommend using gasoline, but I’ll say why opt for this method when we already have a lot of different options discussed. Pouring fuel into the ground might sound effective, but it contaminates the soil, kills your grass, and pollutes the groundwater. It’s also a serious fire hazard that can turn your yard into a disaster zone.
Don’t Burn the Nests
Also, don’t try to burn the nests. Some people have shared stories of setting their lawns on fire by accident. It’s simply not worth the risk.
Preventing Ground Bees from Nesting in Your Yard
Once you’ve managed to get rid of ground bees, the best thing you can do is make sure they don’t come back. A few small changes in how you care for your yard can go a long way in keeping them away for good.
Improve Your Soil and Drainage
As discussed earlier, ground bees love dry, compact soil. It’s perfect for digging little burrows. You can make your yard less attractive to them by aerating your lawn once or twice a year. This loosens up the soil and helps it stay healthy.
Also, check for any dry patches or poor drainage areas. Ground bees prefer dry ground, so fixing those spots and keeping the soil slightly moist can make them look elsewhere for nesting.
Cover Bare Spots with Mulch or Plants
If you’ve got open patches of soil in your yard, that’s like an open invitation for ground bees to move in. Cover these areas with 2–3 inches of mulch, wood chips, or gravel. Not only does it make your garden look nice, but it also makes digging difficult for bees.
You can also plant dense ground cover or turf grass in bare areas. Plants like creeping thyme, clover, or low-growing perennials are great options that add greenery while discouraging nests.
Keep an Eye on Your Yard
Do a quick yard check every now and then, especially in spring, when bees start looking for nesting sites. If you see small holes or mounds, keep an eye on them to make sure they aren’t active. Once you’re sure the bees have left, usually by late summer, fill in the holes to stop them from returning next year.
