Ground bees (mining bees or solitary bees) are important native pollinators that often pollinate early-season plants more efficiently than honey bees. Unlike social insects, these bees are generally docile and non-aggressive, stinging only when physically provoked. Homeowners often seek humane methods to encourage relocation because the bees nest in lawns or gardens. The goal is to make the current location undesirable without resorting to chemicals or lethal means, thereby protecting this beneficial insect population.
Identifying Ground Bees and Their Nesting Habits
Before attempting relocation, confirm the insect’s identity, as ground-nesting yellow jackets are aggressive wasps often mistaken for bees. Ground bees are solitary insects; each female digs and provisions her own nest, though many nests may cluster together. The entrance is typically a small, single hole, about the diameter of a pencil, sometimes surrounded by a volcano-shaped mound of excavated dirt.
In contrast, ground-nesting yellow jackets are social insects with hundreds of individuals using a single, larger communal entrance. Ground bees prefer dry, bare, or sandy soil that receives direct sunlight. Their activity is most noticeable in the early spring for a short period of four to six weeks while the females mate and provision their nests.
Long-Term Habitat Modification for Natural Deterrence
The most effective long-term strategy for non-lethal deterrence involves permanently altering the soil conditions that attracted the bees. Ground bees seek areas of sparse vegetation and well-drained, dry soil to ensure their underground nursery tunnels remain stable. Introducing regular moisture during their active season makes the soil too damp and unstable for them to maintain their burrows.
Maintaining a consistently well-watered lawn or garden bed during the spring nesting period will persuade the bees to seek a drier location. Another structural change involves eliminating bare patches of soil by encouraging dense plant growth. Applying a thick layer of mulch, gravel, or compost (at least two inches deep) physically blocks the bees’ access to the underlying soil.
Planting a dense ground cover or increasing the density of turf grass eliminates the bare, sunny spots ground bees prefer. This modification provides a permanent, passive solution that discourages future nesting without harming the insects. Improving the soil cover makes the area less appealing for the subsequent generation of bees looking for a place to nest.
Immediate, Non-Lethal Exclusion Techniques
While habitat modification works for long-term prevention, temporary exclusion techniques manage areas experiencing high activity, such as near walkways or sandboxes. These methods focus on sensory irritants or physical barriers to encourage the bees to relocate to a less trafficked area. Scent deterrents utilize compounds that ground bees find repulsive, leveraging their sensitive sense of smell.
Natural compounds like peppermint oil, cinnamon powder, or crushed garlic create a temporary boundary around the nesting area. A simple spray solution can be made by mixing water with a few drops of essential oil (such as peppermint or eucalyptus) and applying it around the burrow entrances. Sprinkling cinnamon powder or crushed garlic cloves near the holes also serves as an effective, short-term irritant, encouraging the bees to move.
For small, localized areas like a sandbox, a temporary physical barrier can be employed during the four- to six-week active nesting period. Covering the specific area with fine mesh netting or landscape fabric prevents the bees from entering or exiting the ground. This technique blocks access without trapping the bees inside, allowing them to relocate once they perceive the area as inaccessible.