"Ground bees" are a large group of bees and wasps that are classified together, due to their tendency to live in underground tunnels and burrows. The bees commonly known as ground bees include yellow jackets, bumble bees, cicada killers, digger wasps, ground digger bees and at times even honey bees. Digger wasps and digger bees tend to fly in low flying swarms. Bumbles and cicadas are usually found alone, as are yellow jackets.
Usually ground bees do not pose any threat or problems to the people in the vicinity. Very few tend to be aggressive, although when disturbed, even normal docile ground bees can sting. There are times when any of the ground species can become aggressive, including increased activity in their foraging area, or when the grass is being mowed, or when the area is particularly busy with human or livestock activity.
When there are ground bees in the area, it is important to determine which specie is involved, and the extent of their burrowing Also look at whether it is a swarm, or if there are single bees involved. Usually solitary ones will not pose a threat to anyone, but a swarm, especially close to human habitations, can be a challenge. Usually ground bees cannot be safely removed to a new nesting ground, but if they pose a danger or are too great an inconvenience, it is necessary to exterminate them.
To get rid of ground bees, it is usually enough to dust the hole with insecticide powder. The hole should preferably be dusted in the early morning and early evening hours, when their activity slows down.
For single bees, such as bumble bees, a single dusting with an insecticide will usually be sufficient. Some home remedies also include spraying dishwashing liquid into the hole, or even boiling water poured down the hole at night, when the bee is sleeping in its burrow. However, for aggressive bees or swarms, a pest control company might need to be consulted, so as to minimize environmental damage when using chemical pesticides.
In some cases, especially if honey bees have taken over an old abandoned burrow, underground cave or hollow it might be possible for a beekeeper to remove the nest without damaging the colony or the environment. When dealing with ground bees, remember that they should always be handled with caution, with great regard to the environment and to the insects themselves.
Alan Stables is an amateur bee keeper. He keeps a close eye on his bee hives to review the production from the bees nest. The climate influences the flowers available, and hence the flavor of the honey. There are even ground bees but Alan does not keep these, preferring his honey bees instead.
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