Removing Ground Nesting Bees

When we think of bees, our minds go straight to the perfectly symmetrical shape hanging from a tree. However, if you have spent any time around bees or encountered bees in another capacity, you recognize that only 30 percent of beehives are above ground. The remaining 70% are beneath our feet, and their entrances are often mistaken for anthills. When you notice bees going in and out of a hole in the soil, they are likely ground-nesting bees. Ground-nesting bees can be professionally and humanely removed from a property, but it may take several attempts due to their underground activity and the work done out of sight. Bumble bees are often the bees people observe in the soil or mulch. Tunnels and burrows underground created by other small animals may be abandoned, and bees will make that their new home. Bees are always seeking consistent, comfortable temperatures, and underground environments offer less temperature fluctuation. Although ground nesting bees may be a surprise, they should be removed by a professional bee removal company. Underground nests can be multiple and widespread, and can only be identified through a thorough inspection by someone trained and skilled in working with different bee species.

Why the Underground?

If you think about it, building a nest underground provides instant protection and structure, allowing a colony to grow. Nests vary in depth and size, depending mainly on the type of soil and whether any burrowing occurred from a previous critter. Sheltered chambers help bees raise their brood and store food. Underground nests are often discovered by accident during mowing, blowing, or gardening. As mentioned, these nests are frequently mistaken for small ant hills, but the bee activity outside will give them away.

Treating Underground Bees with Care

Underground bee nests should be treated with care because the bees that live underground are as critical as the honeybees we see flying about their hive. If an underground nest is found, if it is near a walkway, porch, or somewhere where there is foot traffic (or paw traffic), it should be addressed. If bees become highly active, this can be alarming. In situations where people feel threatened or afraid, they often turn to DIY methods to kill the bees – this is not the right choice because the toxins and chemicals are dangerous to people and pets, too, and they rarely get the job done anyway. Ground-nesting bee removal requires skill, knowledge, and experience. Bee technicians need to understand bee biology, and attempts to remove bees without expert help will only make matters worse. Bee removal from ground nesting bees takes patience and sometimes multiple treatments to get them to move on without killing them. Working with a quality bee removal company that uses humane treatments to move bees is the responsible and most environmentally friendly approach.

Removal and Relocation of Ground Bees

Many people are curious about how live and humane bee removal is possible underground. This task is not for the novice and should be performed only by a professional, experienced bee remover. The use of appropriate equipment, the technician's experience, and the number of nests salvaged and rehomed indicate a successful removal. Sadly, there are many companies out there that just kill bees underground when they should be protected.

Once one underground nest is discovered, there may be more, which is another reason you need to hire someone who has done this before and has the tools and equipment to do it safely. Multiple underground nests may require numerous attempts to remove all the brood, bees, and nest structure. Colonies can be transferred if the nucleus is preserved. Many local beekeepers are connected to help rehome bees once they are removed.