How to Get Rid of Bumble Bees

Co-authored by Steve Downs and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: September 22, 2021 References

Bumble bees are top pollinators and they're pretty cute, but if you or a loved one has an allergy, bumble bees can be problematic. Instead of exterminating the bees with harsh insecticides, try natural solutions using things you probably already have around your home. If you change the habitat, bumble bees usually move on pretty quickly. Here are some effective strategies listed from gentlest to harshest to get you started!

1

Remove leaves and loose brush.

Bumble bees like soft nesting spaces, so clear out leaves and debris. They also dislike sunny, hot spaces, so pulling up weeds or raking leaves can remove some of the shade that's protecting them. They'll move on if it's too sunny.^{[1]
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- Bumble bees nest underground, so you may not spot their actual nests—you may see holes that are their entrance tunnels. These are around ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) in diameter. If the bees are nesting underneath decks or patios, you might see a nest—it looks like a waxy clump of debris.

2

Block up the entrance holes to their nests.

Fill the holes with soil if they're nesting in the ground. Pack down the soil so they can't easily get in and out. If they're nesting under your shed or deck and coming up through a hole in the wood, use putty to seal the hole.^{[2]
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- The bees under your shed or deck will probably find a new way to get in and out, so keep looking for them after you've sealed their hole since you may need to block their new entrance.

3

Re-route the nest entrances.

Insert 1 inch (2.5 cm) flexible tubing into the nest entrance. Then, you can direct the tube wherever you want the bees to come and go. For instance, if you've got a nest right next to your patio and you want the bees to be farther away, use long tubing and snake it along the side of your patio so the end is on an unused side of your house.^{[3]
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- Place a few pot plants, pebbles, or flowers around the new entrance so the bumble bees can use these as landmarks. They'll remember that this is the new entrance so they'll avoid the original entrance.

4

Soak the ground with water.

Turn on your sprinklers or use a hose to saturate the ground. Bumble bees are a type of ground bee which means they dig through loose soil to make their nests underground. When you flood their nests with water the bees will either drown or move somewhere drier.^{[4]
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- You may need to do this every few days until the bumble bees are gone.

5

Remove birdhouses that have bees' nests.

Seal the bird box with a sponge and take down the birdhouse. Wait until the evening to move the birdhouse that has the bees' nest in it—that way they'll all be back inside. Push a piece of flexible foam sponge into the entrance hole so the bees can't fly out. Then, take the birdhouse down and at least ¹⁄₂ mi (0.80 km) away.^{[5]
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Research source} Remove the sponge the next day so the bees will fly out when they're active.
- Bees won't fly at night, which is why you have to wait until the next day to remove the sponge. If it's too much of a hassle to go back and get the birdhouse, contact a professional pest control company to transfer the bees from the birdhouse to a colony.^{[6]
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- Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants that you've tucked into your socks. Then, pop on a pair of gloves before you stop up the birdhouse.^{[7]
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6

Spray soapy water on the nest.

Combine ¹⁄₄ cup (59 ml) of liquid soap with 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water. You can use liquid laundry detergent or liquid dish soap. Just stir it into the water until it's dissolved and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the bees' nesting area at night when they're more likely to be there. The soap will kill the bumble bees by dehydrating them.^{[8]
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- Repeat this every few days until the bees are gone.

7

Mix a vinegar repellent for a natural option.

Fill a spray bottle with equal parts of water and vinegar. Screw the lid on and shake the bottle to combine the mixture. Then, spray it on the area where you've seen the bees. Do it at night when they're more likely to be in their nests. The strong vinegar smell may drive them away.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Steve Downs
Live Bee Removal Specialist
Expert Interview. 23 February 2020.}^{[10]
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- You can use any type of vinegar you have—white, apple cider, even red wine vinegar!

8

Make a citrus solution for a gentle repellent.

Simmer citrus juice and zest with water for 10 minutes. Fill a small pot with water and add the juice and peel of 1 or 2 citrus fruits like oranges or lemons. Then, simmer the mixture over medium heat for 10 minutes to release the oil in the fruit. Let the citrus repellent cool completely before you pour it into a spray bottle and spray the bees' nesting area. Since they dislike the strong smell, they'll leave the area.^{[11]
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- Wait until the evening when the bumble bees are back in their nests before you spray. Wear protective clothing when you do this so you don't get stung.
- Repeat this every day until the bees move on.

9

Mix a repellent with soap and essential oils for a fragrant deterrent.

Fill a spray bottle with water and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Then, add a few drops each of clove, peppermint, and cinnamon or orange essential oil.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Steve Downs
Live Bee Removal Specialist
Expert Interview. 23 February 2020.} Screw on the lid and shake it really well before you spray the area where you've seen the bumble bees. This could be anywhere around your yard along with the ground where they're nesting.^{[13]
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- Bumble bees dislike these strong scents so they'll quickly move along.

10

Avoid disturbing endangered bees.

It's illegal to kill the rusty-patched bumble bee species. You've probably heard that bee populations are in decline, especially the rusty-patched bumble bees. These are protected under the Endangered Species Act so you must have a permit to remove their nests. Rust-patched bumble bees are found in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the U.S.^{[14]
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- Rusty-patched bumble bees look like regular bumble bees, but they have a rusty-red patch on the middle of their back.

11

Hire professionals if you can't get rid of the bumble bees.

Contact a pest control company to see if they'll remove bumble bees.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Steve Downs
Live Bee Removal Specialist
Expert Interview. 23 February 2020.} Ask the local company if they relocate bumble bees or if they exterminate them. If they exterminate, they'll probably need to dig deep into the ground to remove the complex nest structure.^{[16]
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- It may cost a few hundred dollars to get professional bumble bee removal. If you want to do this, call the company as soon as you notice the bees so it will be easier to remove them.

Expert Q&A

Question

What are the top safety tips you have for getting away from a bee attack?

Steve Downs
Live Bee Removal Specialist
Steve Downs is a Live Honey Bee Removal Specialist, Honey bee Preservationist, and the Owner of Beecasso Live Bee Removal Inc, a licensed bee removal and relocation business based in the Los Angeles, California metro area. Steve has over 20 years of humane bee capturing and bee removal experience for both commercial and residential locations. Working with beekeepers, agriculturalists, and bee hobbyists, Steve sets up bee hives throughout the Los Angeles area and promotes the survival of bees. He has a passion for honeybee preservation and has created his own Beecasso sanctuary where rescued bee hives are relocated and preserved.

Steve Downs

Live Bee Removal Specialist

Expert Answer

The number one thing is don't panic. Get as far away from the hive as fast as you can, since the bees will generally head back to the hive once the threat (you) are far enough away. Try your best not to swat at them, or squash them on your skin or body as this will release more pheromones onto your skin, and the remaining bees will attack further.

Warnings

Never pour gasoline or bleach into the bumble bees' nests. It's a flammable hazard that also poisons your soil.

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