How to Get Rid of Ground Bees

Co-authored by Steve Downs and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: September 5, 2021 References

Ground bees are helpers in the garden—they pollinate and aerate your lawn. Plus, they're unlikely to sting you. However, if you're bothered by ground bees building their nests in your space, there are simple chemical-free solutions you can take to discourage nesting. As long as you cover the soil or make it unappealing, ground bees will move along in no time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 12:
Saturate the ground with water.

0

4

1
Soak the ground with water to encourage the bees to leave. Ground bees prefer dry, loose soil, so if you use your sprinkler to saturate the ground, they'll usually move on. Try to water as soon as you notice the bees, or in early spring, whichever is first.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
Division of the University of Georgia focused on research and community education
Go to source}
- You can use a sprinkler or spray the area where the bees are with a garden hose.

Method 2

Method 2 of 12:
Till the soil.

0

6

1
You don't need fancy equipment to destroy the tunnels—grab a shovel! Dig through the soil where the nests are. Go deep and turn the soil as much as possible so you destroy the tunnels where the ground bees nest.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Try to do this in the late morning or afternoon when the ground bees are likely to be out of their nests.

Method 3

Method 3 of 12:
Put down sod or turfgrass seed.

0

7

1
Plant dense grass that makes it hard for the bees to tunnel. Ground bees look for loose, open soil when they make their nests, so they'll avoid thick grass. Put down sod for a quick lawn cover or scatter grass seed over the area in late fall if you're trying to prevent the ground bees from coming back in the spring.^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
Division of the University of Georgia focused on research and community education
Go to source}
- It takes anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks for seedlings to emerge from grass seed, so this is a longer-term solution.

Method 4

Method 4 of 12:
Spread bark mulch.

1

9

1
Put down a layer of mulch so the ground bees can't access the holes. If you don't feel like using classic bark mulch, pea gravel works just fine, too! Either way, you're covering the holes so they can't reach their nesting tunnels.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Mulch can wear away throughout the year, especially if you have an irrigation system that erodes the mulch. You may need to reapply the mulch every spring before the ground bees begin nesting in your region.

Method 5

Method 5 of 12:
Cover the ground with plastic film.

0

6

1
Lay down sheets of heavy plastic film so the bees can't get to the soil. If you've got plastic sheeting for weed control, you can put this down where the ground bees typically nest—usually in a sunny, southwestern facing area. Weigh down the edges with rocks or something heavy. The bees will have a hard time accessing the soil, so they'll probably nest elsewhere.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- You can also use recycled rubber or plastic mulch to cover the area. This works just like standard bark mulch since it blocks the bees from the soil.

Method 6

Method 6 of 12:
Plant ground-covering plants.

0

7

1
Shrubs and flowers cover the soil so it's hard for ground bees to tunnel. You can get any type of plant, but if you go for perennial plants, they'll come back year after year. Ground cover plants are even better—they'll slowly grow and continue to cover the surface. Here are some great ground-cover options:^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Creeping juniper
- Creeping thyme
- Sedum
- Lavender
- Mondo grass
- Ferns
- Irish moss

Method 7

Method 7 of 12:
Cover the nests with soil.

0

6

1
Fill in the ground bee holes with soil so they can't get out. Ground bees are great at making tunnels in shallow, loose soil, but they won't be able to dig out if you fill in their tunnels with soil. Make sure you fill in each hole you find so the bees don't just escape through a different route.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- To make this method even more effective, water the ground after you fill in the holes.

Method 8

Method 8 of 12:
Hang a bug zapper.

0

7

1
Install an electronic bug zapper near their nests. This way, when the ground bees fly around, it's possible they'll be attracted to the light and get zapped. There are lots of great bug zapper designs on the market—you can find solar bug zappers, bug zapper stakes that you push into the ground, or even handheld electronic swatters.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- If you don't have an outlet near the ground bee nests, you may be able to find a bug zapper that's powered by batteries.

Method 9

Method 9 of 12:
Encourage ground bee predators.

0

7

1
Don't remove spider webs, wasps, or woodpeckers from the area. All of these go after ground bees, so they'll get rid of them for you! Other predators of ground bees include smaller mammals like foxes, mice, skunks, and hedgehogs.^{[9]
X
Research source}

Method 10

Method 10 of 12:
Put down paver stones.

0

7

1
Close off the site in the winter so the ground bees don't return. After the first freeze in your area, dig up the tunnels and turn over the soil. Pack down the dirt so the ground is compacted. Then, place outdoor paver stones or tiles over the area so the bees won't return and nest there in the spring.^{[10]
X
Research source}

Method 11

Method 11 of 12:
Skip insecticide.

0

10

1
Ground bees are essential for pollinating flowers and crops. They don't hang around for more than a few weeks, so it's better to simply leave them alone. Instead of spraying harmful insecticides, just avoid their nesting space for a few weeks. Then, they'll be gone!^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Ground bees pollinate early-spring crops like apples, strawberries, blueberries, and cherries.
- Ground bees will leave you alone if you don't bother them. It's very unlikely that they'll sting you.

Method 12

Method 12 of 12:
Hire a professional.

0

2

1
Call a local pest control company to find out if they remove bees. Some companies will relocate beneficial bees like ground bees instead of exterminating them. Keep in mind that the professionals will have to dig deep to remove all of the tunnels and the service can be pricey.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- If you want to go the professional route, try to do it as soon as you spot the bees—the longer they're tunneling, the harder it will be to remove all of them.

Community Q&A

Question

What are some various natural bee repellents that you recommend?

Steve Downs
Live Bee Removal Specialist
Steve Downs is a Live Honey Bee Removal Specialist, Honey bee Preservationist, and the Owner of Beecasso Live Bee Removal Inc, a licensed bee removal and relocation business based in the Los Angeles, California metro area. Steve has over 20 years of humane bee capturing and bee removal experience for both commercial and residential locations. Working with beekeepers, agriculturalists, and bee hobbyists, Steve sets up bee hives throughout the Los Angeles area and promotes the survival of bees. He has a passion for honeybee preservation and has created his own Beecasso sanctuary where rescued bee hives are relocated and preserved.

Steve Downs

Live Bee Removal Specialist

Expert Answer

Vinegar, cinnamon mixed with water, orange oil, and almond oil can help. These aren't foolproof, but these are some remedies that professionals like myself use, from time to time.
Question

If I call a professional to get rid of the bees, what info do they need?

Steve Downs
Live Bee Removal Specialist
Steve Downs is a Live Honey Bee Removal Specialist, Honey bee Preservationist, and the Owner of Beecasso Live Bee Removal Inc, a licensed bee removal and relocation business based in the Los Angeles, California metro area. Steve has over 20 years of humane bee capturing and bee removal experience for both commercial and residential locations. Working with beekeepers, agriculturalists, and bee hobbyists, Steve sets up bee hives throughout the Los Angeles area and promotes the survival of bees. He has a passion for honeybee preservation and has created his own Beecasso sanctuary where rescued bee hives are relocated and preserved.

Steve Downs

Live Bee Removal Specialist

Expert Answer

The main questions we will ask are: Where is the hive located, and what are the bees getting into? How long they have been at that location? When did you first notice the hive? These questions allow us to understand whether this a new swarm or an established hive. Then, we know what to expect and can formulate an approach for the live bee removal process.

Warnings

Avoid pouring gasoline into the bees' nests—not only will it poison your soil, but it's a fire hazard. You should also avoid using bleach since it won't get rid of the bees and it will damage the soil by raising its pH level.^{[13]
X
Research source}

Thanks!
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0