Ground bees, also known as mining bees or digger bees, are solitary bees that create nests in the ground. Unlike honeybees, they don’t live in large colonies but can still become a nuisance when they build nests in your yard. Ground bees are beneficial for pollination, but their presence can be troublesome, especially if someone is allergic to bee stings or if their nests are located in high-traffic areas like lawns or gardens.

If you’re dealing with ground bees, it's important to approach the situation carefully, as bees play a vital role in pollination. In this article, we’ll explore safe and effective ways to get rid of ground bees without harming the environment or putting yourself at risk.

1. Understand the Type of Bees You Are Dealing With

Before taking action, it's important to determine whether the bees are indeed ground bees. Ground bees typically nest in the soil, creating small holes that can sometimes be mistaken for holes made by other insects or animals. Here's how to identify ground bees:

• Size and Appearance: Ground bees are usually smaller than honeybees and are often black or brown. They may also have a more slender, elongated body shape.
• Nest Location: They create small, shallow holes in the ground, usually in areas with bare or sparse grass. The holes may be accompanied by a small mound of soil around them.
• Behavior: Ground bees are solitary, meaning they don't swarm or form large colonies. If you see bees coming and going from the same hole in the ground, it's likely a ground bee nest.

Once you've identified ground bees, you can decide on the best method for dealing with them.

2. Avoid Disturbing the Bees

If the bees are not in an area where they pose a danger, consider leaving them undisturbed. Ground bees are not aggressive and are unlikely to sting unless provoked. In fact, leaving them alone will allow them to pollinate your garden, which can be beneficial for your plants. Ground bees are typically active only during the warmer months (spring and summer), and their nesting season ends by late fall.

However, if the bees are in an inconvenient location, here are some methods to encourage them to move or deter them from nesting.

3. Use Water to Deter Ground Bees

One of the easiest ways to get rid of ground bees is by using water. Ground bees prefer dry, sandy soil for nesting, so saturating the ground around their nests can encourage them to relocate. Here’s how to do it:

• Water the Ground: During the evening or early morning when the bees are less active, pour a bucket of water over the area where the bees are nesting. This will make the ground soggy and less appealing to the bees.
• Repeat if Necessary: If you don’t notice a change after the first watering, repeat the process once or twice over a few days. Keep in mind that this method works best when the ground is not too dry.

Tip: Avoid using pesticides or harsh chemicals to kill the bees, as these can harm the environment, other beneficial insects, and pets.

4. Create an Inconvenient Environment for the Bees

Ground bees prefer nesting in sunny, well-drained soil. To make the environment less attractive to them, you can:

• Increase Shade: Plant shrubs or place objects like stones or logs over the nesting area to reduce the amount of sunlight that hits the ground. This can make the area less inviting for ground bees.
• Add Mulch or Soil: Cover the ground where the bees are nesting with a layer of mulch, soil, or even thick grass. This will disrupt the bees’ nesting process and may cause them to move elsewhere.
• Apply Sand or Gravel: Ground bees prefer soft, loose soil for digging their nests. Adding sand or gravel to the area can make it harder for them to create tunnels.

5. Use Natural Repellents

If the bees continue to be a problem, you can try using natural repellents that can help deter them from nesting in your yard:

• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is an effective repellent for many types of bees, including ground bees. Sprinkle cinnamon around the nests or on the surrounding ground. Bees dislike the strong scent, which can encourage them to move away.
• Citrus: Bees are repelled by the scent of citrus. Try placing citrus peels or spraying a diluted mixture of lemon or orange essential oil around the affected area.
• Garlic: Bees are known to avoid garlic. You can create a garlic spray by mixing crushed garlic with water and spraying it around the nest.

Be sure to apply these natural repellents carefully to avoid harming nearby plants or wildlife.

6. Seal the Nest in the Fall

Ground bees are active during the warmer months but become inactive as the weather cools. In fall, most ground bees will stop using their nests, which gives you an opportunity to seal up the holes and prevent them from returning the following year. Here’s how you can do this:

• Wait for Cold Weather: Make sure the ground bees are no longer active before you seal their nests. This usually happens in late fall.
• Fill the Holes: Use soil, sand, or other natural materials to fill the holes where the bees have been nesting. Make sure the soil is packed tightly to prevent the bees from re-entering.
• Monitor the Area: In the spring, monitor the area for signs of new ground bee activity. If you see bees returning, you may need to take additional action to deter them.

7. Call a Professional Exterminator or Beekeeper

If the ground bees are causing significant problems, and you're unsure how to deal with them, you may want to call a professional pest control service or a beekeeper. A beekeeper may be able to relocate the bees safely, while pest control services can provide you with more advanced solutions.

While exterminators may offer chemical treatments, it’s important to weigh the environmental impact and only use such methods as a last resort, as bees play a crucial role in pollination.

Conclusion

Ground bees are important pollinators, and while they may cause a nuisance, they don’t usually pose a significant threat unless provoked. By using natural methods, such as watering the area, increasing shade, and applying repellents like cinnamon or garlic, you can encourage them to relocate without harming them.

In cases where the bees are causing significant issues, it's best to call in a professional for assistance. Remember, always prioritize safety for yourself, your family, and the environment when handling bees.