How to Safely Get Rid of Ground Bees From Your Yard?

How to Get Rid of Ground Bees

How to get rid of ground bees?” is a question many homeowners ask, especially in the summer. Ground bees are usually calm, and males can’t sting. Bees buzzing around your lawn can be unsettling, especially during a picnic. Also, their presence could signal an unhealthy lawn. Some of those buzzing insects might be aggressive bees! In this blog post we will cover quick identification, simple solutions to keeping them away and prevention methods to stop them coming again.

So, let’s get started with Safety Precautions first.

Safety Precautions While Getting Ground Bee Out Of Yard

When getting rid of ground bees, it is important to take precautions to avoid getting stung. Here is how you can stay safe:

  • Wear Protective Clothing: Wear shoes, long pants, and socks to cover your skin.
  • Avoid The Nests: Stay a safe distance from the nests. Avoid walking near them.
  • Be Aware Of Your Surroundings: Don’t disturb the bees, especially if you’re near flowers.
  • Stay Calm: Don’t agitate the bees. It may make them sting.

Identify Different Types of Ground Bees

Spotting ground Bees can be tricky since there are so many different species. The best way to start identifying them is by checking which types are common in your area. Here are a few of the most well-known ones:

  • Yellow Jackets Are Wasps – They have yellow and black stripes and a yellow face. They’re useful in gardens. They hunt pests. But, they can be aggressive if disturbed.
  • Mud Daubers Are Solitary Wasps – They build their nests out of mud. They have a thin “waist” between their abdomen and thorax. They’re generally harmless and won’t bother you unless you disturb their nest.
  • Great Golden Digger Wasps – Often mistaken for bees, these wasps have golden stripes. They also have a blue, metallic body that sets them apart. They’re not aggressive unless provoked.
  • Cicada Killer Wasps – These are among the largest ground wasps, growing up to two inches long. They have dark brown bodies with yellow stripes. They look intimidating, but they prefer to keep their distance. They only become aggressive if handled.

If you come across ground Bees, it’s best to observe them from a safe distance and avoid disturbing their nests!

Ways to Get Rid of Ground Bees

If you have ground bees in your Yard, you can encourage them to leave naturally. Here are some strategies to manage them and stop their return. 

Cover Their Nesting Holes

A simple way to stop ground bees from coming back is to block their nesting holes. If you have extra bricks or large rocks, place them over the holes. This prevents the bees from going in and out, making them look for a new home elsewhere.

Keep Your Lawn Watered

Ground bees love dry soil. So, keep your lawn well-watered to discourage them. A regular watering schedule can help keep these unwanted guests away. Use a hose or a sprinkler system.

Grow More Grass

Bees prefer open, patchy ground. If your yard has bare spots, planting more grass can make it less inviting for them. Spreading grass seed over their nesting areas can also prevent them from returning. Any type of grass will do. It can be Bermudagrass, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, or fescue.

Try Natural Repellents

If you want to go the DIY route, here are a couple of tricks:

  • Cinnamon: Bees dislike the smell of cinnamon. So, sprinkle it around their nests to encourage them to move.
  • White vinegar: A mix of equal parts white vinegar and water can be sprayed directly on the nests. But be aware—this will likely kill the bees, so it’s not the most humane option. Since bees are important for pollination, use this method only as a last resort.

Use Soapy Water

Mix some dish soap with water. Then, pour it into the bee nest entrance in the evening when they’re less active. This helps drive them away in a simple, natural way.

Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

It is a fine powder made from tiny, fossilized algae. It’s harmless to people and pets but deadly to insects. Sprinkle it at the nest entrance. As the bees pass through it, the powder damages their exoskeletons. It causes them to dehydrate. This is an effective, natural way to get rid of them.

How to Prevent Ground Bees from Returning

To stop ground bees from returning, make your yard less inviting for nesting. Regularly treat areas where they’ve nested with ground cinnamon, as it helps deter them. Keeping the soil well-watered can also discourage bees, as they prefer dry, sandy, or loose soil. A thick, healthy lawn and mulch or compost in gardens will make it harder for bees to find nesting sites.

Reseed or plant groundcovers in bare patches of your yard. These are prime spots for nesting. You can also plant bee-repelling plants like mint, eucalyptus, or citronella around the edges of your yard. Be sure to inspect your yard early in spring for signs of nesting so you can act quickly before an infestation occurs.

How Long Do Ground Bees Stay Around?  

Ground bees are only around for about four to six weeks. They come out in early spring and stay active through the warmer months. When fall and winter arrive, the worker bees die off, and the queen hibernates underground. The next year, she wakes up and starts the cycle again in the same spot.

To keep the little pollinators coming back, plant bee-attracting flowers. This will create the best environment for them to thrive.

What Causes of Ground Bee?

Ground bees are a fascinating group of solitary bees. They are usually attracted to specific types of environments. Their nesting sites are unique. They affect the bees’ behavior. This makes them different from other bee species. Knowing what attracts ground bees can help you appreciate them. They play a key role in the ecosystem. It may also help you attract them to your garden.

What Attracts Ground Bees?

  1. Bare Ground: Ground bees are naturally inclined to areas that lack vegetation. This bare, open space lets them dig and nest in the soil. There are no grasses or plants to obstruct them. You’ll often find them in lawns or garden beds where the soil is left uncovered.
  2. Soil Type: These bees prefer sandy, well-drained soil. It is ideal for digging their nests. However, some species of ground bees are also known to nest in denser, clay-like soils. Soil texture is key for ground bees. They need a surface that is easy to tunnel into.
  3. Sun Exposure: Ground bees are most active in the morning, right after the sun has given warmth to the earth. They like sunlight. Sun heats the soil and that makes it easier for them to nest. Full sun throughout the day is an ideal way to attract ground bees.
  4. Flowers Nearby: These bees are pollinators, so nearby flowers are an important draw. Ground bees are often seen foraging for nectar from various flowers.
  5. Soil Temperature: Another necessity for ground bee activity is the warmth of the soil. Generally, they are more likely to nest in areas where the soil gets warm from the direct exposure of the sun. This will speed up their nesting. Hence, they are most active during the warmer months, especially in early spring.

To attract and keep a healthy population of these vital pollinators, plant bee-friendly flowers. Also, create a garden with minimal vegetation and well-drained soil. These factors will support ground bees and a diverse, vibrant ecosystem in your yard.

Are Ground Bees Dangerous?

Most of the bees you see buzzing around your lawn are actually harmless males just looking for a mate. They can’t sting at all! Female ground bees can sting. They will only do so if threatened, like if you step on or grab them. The good news? These little guys are actually helping your garden by pollinating flowers nearby! 

Signs of a Ground Bee Infestation

If you want to check for a ground bee infestation in your backyard, start by looking at the soil. Ground bees dig small holes, just a few inches wide, to create their nests.

You’ll often see loose, raised dirt around these holes. It’s like tiny mounds. They show that something has been burrowing there. The openings will be just big enough for a bee to crawl through.

Other signs to watch for:

  • Bees flying close to the ground
  • Bees hovering over the same patch of land (near their nest)
  • A noticeable buzzing sound
  • More and more dirt holes appearing, especially in summer (when females lay eggs)
  • Multiple bees going in and out of the same hole, which suggests a colony is forming

Unlike honey bees, ground bees usually live alone. But if you notice a lot of them in one spot, you might have an infestation.

If you or someone in your household is allergic to bee stings, it’s best to be cautious. In that case, calling a professional to remove them might be the safest option.

When to Call a Professional?

If you are dealing with a ground bee problem, the methods mentioned above should help in most cases. But, if the infestation is severe or the bees are in hard-to-reach spots, it’s best to call a pest control expert. Locate a specialist who focuses on eco-friendly removal. They can handle the bees without risk, ensure they don’t return, and protect your lawn and the environment.

Conclusion

Ground bees might be a hassle, but you can thwart them safely, without harming the environment. Simple solutions can help keep them away. Water your lawn, cover their holes, and use natural repellents. Plus, keeping your lawn healthy and covering bare spots will reduce the chances of future infestations.

Use these simple tips to keep your Yard free of bees. You can still support these important pollinators that help our environment thrive.

Faqs

1. Do ground bees go away in winter?

No. While the adults will die, their offspring will be present next spring.

2. Where do ground Bees go at night?

At night, ground Bees will go back to their nests and stay put for the duration of the night. This is when they’ll perform maintenance on their nests, such as repairing damage.

3. What makes ground bees go away?

The best way to make ground bees go away is to make your lawn or ground surface an uninhabitable place to nest. You can start by blocking current nesting holes, then watering your lawn to ensure it’s saturated enough to prevent ground bees from setting up shop underground.

4. Does vinegar kill ground bees?

Yes, vinegar can kill ground bees. Vinegar is a common ingredient in many homemade insecticidal solutions.

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David is a senior writer and editor at StuffedInfo. Bringing years of expertise in creating informative content on various topics of home decor including home Improvement, interior ideas, gardening, etc. With a keen eye for details and correct information, he ensures that every content resonates with readers.