How to Get Rid of Underground Bees Safely

Underground bee nests can be alarming in a lawn, garden, or play area, but treating every ground-level entrance as a pest problem can harm beneficial pollinators and create a stinging hazard. The safest approach is to identify the insects without disturbing them, decide whether the location truly needs attention, and use a qualified local professional when it does. Do not dig into a nest or try to flood, smoke, burn, or poison it.

What You’ll Need

Binoculars or a camera with zoom, if available, to observe from a distance
A way to keep children and pets away, such as a temporary barrier set well back from the entrance
Notes about the insects’ appearance, activity, and exact location
Contact details for a local beekeeping association, university cooperative extension service, or licensed pest professional

Do not approach the opening to take a close-up photo. Ordinary clothing is not reliable sting protection, and disturbing the ground can provoke insects. If anyone nearby has a known severe sting allergy, keep them away and seek professional help promptly.

Step-by-Step

Keep clear of the entrance. Move people, pets, and lawn equipment away. Do not step over the opening, mow across it, poke it, or block it. If you need to mark the area, place a visible marker well outside the flight path rather than placing anything over the hole.
Watch from a distance. Observe the insects during daylight without standing in their approach path. Note whether there is one small opening or a cluster, whether insects are carrying pollen, and whether activity is calm or defensive. Do not rely on a single clue: ground-nesting bees and yellowjackets can both use underground spaces, and a hole alone does not identify its occupant.
Look for signs of a bee nest. Many solitary ground-nesting bees are small and often show modest, localized activity. They generally use individual burrows and do not form the large colonies associated with honeybees. Yellowjackets are wasps, not bees; their nest may also be underground, and they can defend it vigorously. If insects repeatedly pursue people or react strongly when the area is approached, retreat and treat the nest as potentially defensive.
Decide whether action is needed. If the nest is out of the way and the insects are not creating a safety concern, leaving it alone is usually the simplest option. Many solitary bees are important pollinators, and their nests are temporary. If the entrance is beside a doorway, walkway, play area, or frequently used part of the yard, arrange an assessment rather than trying a home remedy.
Ask a knowledgeable local contact to identify them. Contact a university cooperative extension service, local beekeeping association, or qualified pest professional. Share observations or a distant photo if requested. A beekeeper may be able to advise on honeybees, but many beekeepers do not remove ground-nesting bees or yellowjackets; ask what type of insect they handle before arranging a visit.
Choose a removal plan suited to the insect. If the insects are honeybees, ask whether a beekeeper can collect or relocate them. If they are yellowjackets or another stinging wasp, use a licensed pest professional experienced with that species. Solitary bee nests are rarely candidates for relocation; an expert can explain whether leaving the area alone or changing the site later is appropriate.
Stay away while work is underway. Follow the professional’s instructions, keep children and animals indoors or well away, and do not try to assist by covering the hole or spraying it. Ask when the area can be used again and whether any follow-up is needed. If activity continues, contact the professional rather than repeating a treatment yourself.
Reduce future disturbance. Once the nest is inactive and a professional says the area can be used, consider changing the site only if needed—for example, by maintaining dense ground cover or redirecting foot traffic. Avoid sealing an active entrance. Ground-nesting bees may return to suitable bare or lightly vegetated soil, so prevention should not involve indiscriminate chemicals.

Common Mistakes

Assuming every ground nest is a bee nest. Yellowjackets are common underground nesters and are wasps. Misidentification can lead to the wrong response and increase the chance of stings.
Pouring water, gasoline, or household chemicals into the hole. These methods are dangerous, can contaminate soil or water, and may fail to reach the nest. Never use gasoline or fire; fumes and flames can cause severe injury or a fire.
Sealing or digging up an active nest. Blocking an entrance does not safely remove insects and may force them to find another exit. Digging or striking the ground can trigger defensive behavior.
Spraying without identifying the insect. A pesticide may harm beneficial pollinators, expose people or pets, or be ineffective. Do not use a product contrary to its label or apply it where children, animals, or flowering plants may be exposed.
Trying to relocate a solitary bee burrow. These nests are not typically a colony that can be scooped up and moved like a honeybee swarm. Ask an expert before taking any action.

Tips

Observe at a time when insects are active, but remain well back and avoid standing directly in their flight path.
Note the entrance location, activity pattern, approximate insect size and color, and whether the insects carry pollen. These details can help an expert without putting you close to the nest.
Keep mowing, trimming, digging, and construction away from the area until the insects have been identified and the plan is clear.
Do not set out traps near an unidentified nest. Traps can attract insects to places people use and are not a substitute for correct identification.
When contacting a professional, mention whether the nest is near a doorway, public path, or area used by children or pets.

Troubleshooting

You cannot tell whether they are bees or wasps: Do not get closer to inspect. Keep away and ask an extension service or pest professional to identify them from your description or a safely taken distant image.

The insects become defensive: Leave the area promptly without swatting or blocking the entrance. Get indoors or into a vehicle, then contact a qualified professional. Do not return to investigate while activity continues.

A treatment did not stop activity: Do not add more pesticide, water, or another remedy. The nest may be deeper, the insects may have another exit, or the identification may be wrong. Keep the area clear and call the person who assessed or treated it.

The nest is in a high-traffic spot: Create distance with a temporary barrier placed away from the entrance, without blocking the insects’ flight path, and contact a professional. If you cannot safely keep people away, do not attempt to manage the nest yourself.

Someone is stung and has trouble breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, faintness, or other severe symptoms: Call 911 immediately. Do not approach the nest to retrieve belongings or attempt removal while waiting for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are underground bees dangerous?

Many solitary ground-nesting bees are not aggressive when left undisturbed, but any insect can sting if threatened. Underground yellowjacket nests can be more defensive, so keep your distance until the insect is identified.

Should I pour water into a bee hole?

No. Water is unreliable and may provoke insects to leave the nest. It can also damage the surrounding ground without solving the problem.

Will underground bees leave on their own?

Many solitary bee nests are seasonal, but timing varies by species and local conditions. Do not assume a nest is inactive simply because you see less activity; ask an expert before disturbing it.

Can a beekeeper remove bees from the ground?

Some beekeepers handle honeybee colonies, but ground-nesting solitary bees are different and are not usually collected like a swarm. Ask the beekeeper what species they can handle, or contact a local extension service for guidance.

How can I stop bees from nesting in my lawn?

First confirm the insect and wait until the nest is inactive before changing the site. Dense vegetation or directing foot traffic elsewhere may make a location less suitable, but avoid sealing or treating an active nest.

When should I call a pest professional?

Call when the nest is near regular activity, insects act defensively, you suspect yellowjackets, or you cannot identify them safely. Choose a qualified professional and explain the location and observed behavior.

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