---
title: "How to Get Rid of Ground Bees in Your Yard"
description: "Although ground bees don't sting, many homeowners want to know how to get rid of ground bees, as they can wreak havoc on lawns by building unsightly nests."
date: "2023-03-10"
modified: "2025-04-07"
authors:
  - name: "Melissa Graham"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/melissa-graham/"
url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-ground-bees/"
categories:
  - "DIY"
  - "Lawn & Garden"
tags:
  - "pests"
---

# How to Get Rid of Ground Bees in Your Yard

![A ground bee emerges from the dirt.](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/How-to-Get-Rid-of-Ground-Bees.jpg>)
*Photo: istockphoto.com*

As their name suggests, ground bees are insects that nest in the ground, as opposed to more social bees that nest in the open or in tree cavities. Although bees can be [beneficial to a yard](<https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/10-ways-to-make-your-garden-more-bee-friendly-579982/>) when it comes to pollination, ground bees are a [type of bee](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-bees/>) that can wreak havoc on lawns by building unsightly nests that look like mini ant piles. If left to their own devices, they can pose harm to grass health.

For those who need to know how to get rid of ground bees, the steps below will walk them through simple DIY methods that use household ingredients. If those don’t work, it might be necessary to try a more thorough measure, such as planting new grass or enlisting the help of one of the [best bee removal services](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-pest-control-companies/>).

## Project Overview

***Time required:** 1 to 2 hours*
***Difficulty:** Beginner*
***Estimated cost:** $10 to $60 for DIY methods; up to $500 for professional removal*

### Tools & Materials

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- [Gloves](</asearch?q=Gloves>)
- [Safety goggles](</asearch?q=Safety%20goggles>)
- [Spray bottle](</asearch?q=Spray%20bottle>)
- [Water hose or sprinkler ](</asearch?q=Water%20hose%20or%20sprinkler%20>)

- [White vinegar ](</asearch?q=White%20vinegar%20>)
- [Ground cinnamon](</asearch?q=Ground%20cinnamon>)
- [Grass seed](</asearch?q=Grass%20seed>)

## How to Know if You Have Ground Bees

Before beginning the elimination process, it helps to ensure that ground bees are in fact the insects present. [Getting rid of hornets](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-hornets/>) or [wasps](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-wasps/>) will have different steps than getting rid of ground bees. Homeowners can examine their yards and look for pointed piles of dirt that resemble cones. If a pile has a pencil-size hole at the top, it’s likely a bee nest, specifically of the ground bee variety. It’s also possible to spot ground bees around the yard, since they tend to linger around their nests. They’re typically about ½ inch to ¾ inch long and can vary in color from black and yellow to blue, purple, or green with a metallic tint.

Ground bees tend to travel solo and are unlikely to swarm or sting, which makes them less of a threat to those who might be allergic to bee stings. Although males tend to be the more aggressive ground bees, they’re unlikely to do any major harm to animals or humans.

| **Ground Bees** | **Honey Bees** |
| --- | --- |
| - Usually ½ inch in length; can be up to ¾ inch - No queen bees; all female bees are fertile - Solitary but semi-social; live in individual holes near each other | - ½ inch to ⅔ inch in length - Alternating black bands with yellow or amber hairs - Queen bee is the largest and the only fertile female - Communal and social; live together in one hive |

## Before You Begin

### Tips for Getting Rid of Ground Bees

- Eliminate access to current nests.
- Water the yard frequently.
- Apply a 1:1 vinegar and water solution or sprinkle cinnamon on existing nests.
- Call a professional bee removal service.

### Safety Considerations

- Wear proper protective gear such as gloves and goggles.
- Stay away from ground bees and their nests if you’re allergic to bee stings.
- Consider calling a bee removal expert to safely get rid of ground bees.

## Tips for Making Ground Bees Go Away

### Step 1: Cover any nesting holes.

One way to get rid of bees is to block access to their nesting holes. If a homeowner has any spare bricks or large rocks on hand, they can place them over the holes to keep the bees from going back inside their nests and laying more eggs. This method also keeps current miner bees that are inside the nest from reaching the surface. Once the insects realize they can’t go in or out, they’ll likely search for other areas to create nests.

### Step 2: Water the lawn.

Bees that live in the ground prefer dry conditions, so the more the lawn is watered, the less likely they are to build nests. Not only can a watered lawn prevent ground bees from inhabiting a yard, but it can also encourage current ground bees to move elsewhere. Homeowners can use a water hose for this step, or if there is already a sprinkler system in place, it may be best to set up a regular watering schedule.

### Step 3: Plant more grass.

![How to Get Rid of Ground Bees](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/How-to-Get-Rid-of-Ground-Bees-Plant-more-grass.jpg>)
*Photo: iStock*

The more sparse the yard, the better conditions are for ground bees to build a nest. Planting more grass in bare patches of the lawn can help [get rid of bees](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-bees/>) and prevent them from returning. Applying grass seed over current nesting holes can also help eliminate the insects and ensure they don’t multiply over time. Whether a homeowner plants Bermuda grass, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, or fine fescue, any new growth will likely keep bees nests in the ground at bay.

### Step 4: Repel them with pantry staples.

Although bees are known for their [attraction to nectar and other sweets](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-keep-bees-away-from-hummingbird-feeders/>), they’re not so fond of the common household spice cinnamon. Sprinkling ground cinnamon on nesting holes or in areas the ground bees inhabit makes them more likely to avoid those spots or move away from them completely.

White vinegar is another common household ingredient that is known to ward off ground bees. In fact, it can be deadly to bees, which is why they tend to avoid it at all costs. A spray bottle can be used to apply a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water to nests or directly on the bees. This will likely eliminate the bees completely, so it’s best to be aware that this is a less humane approach and may affect pollination in the yard.

### Step 5: Hire a bee removal specialist.

If DIY methods to get rid of underground bees aren’t effective, it may be time to call a professional. A bee removal specialist can help determine which removal method is best and ensures the job is done safely. Bee removal specialists know how to relocate bees without harming them and can prevent them from returning to a yard. Additionally, some local beekeepers even offer bee removal for free!

The ground bee removal methods above are not only safe for the household, but they’re also beneficial to the health of the lawn. However, if the ground bee population is out of control or there are more bees in the ground than can be handled, it may be time to call in a professional bee removal service. Bee specialists can handle removal and keep bees from buzzing back with a vengeance.

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## FAQs

## Author
Melissa Graham has worked with the BobVila.com team for 2 years. With more than 10 years of experience in the media industry, she has covered everything from the best gifts for new homeowners to how to remove a bird’s nest or move across the country. When she’s not wearing her writer’s hat, she’s chasing her two kids around their Dallas home, perfecting her baking skills, or reading the latest best-selling thriller.