How to Kill Sand Bees
Sand bees or ground bees burrow down into the soil to build their hives. This can make spotting them tricky and getting rid of them even trickier. It's hard to remove what you can't see. Generally speaking, if you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone. They will pollinate your garden and ensure the continued success of the food cycle. However, if you're highly allergic, bee-phobic, or just don't want to have them around, you can get rid of them. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Flash light with clear red cover
- Plastic bucket without a pouring spout
- 3 or 4 bricks
- Extra Strength Raid Wasp and Bee Spray
- Protective mask/medical mask
- 3 black waterproof tarps
- Patio paving stones
- Light colored pants with elastic legs
- Thick socks
- Leather shoes
- Long sleeved shirt
- Belt
- Hat
Instructions
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Contact a local bee keeper. The worldwide population of bees is dwindling and beekeepers may want your bees. Even if they don't, they might remove your sand bees free of charge. Speak to your local extension office and ask around at any nearby farm supply store. They're likely to know who keeps bees in your area.
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Locate the entrance to the hive. When the sun begins to set, watch for the bees to return and focus on the area of greatest bee activity. Do not get too close and or approach the hive wearing yellow clothing or while carrying a sugar-laden drink. If a bee flies near you, or even if it stings you, back away and head for home, moving in a zig-zag pattern.
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Go back to the entrance at night, when all the bees have returned to the hive. Cover your flashlight with a red disk to diffuse the light. And bring a plastic bucket, three or four bricks, a protective face mask and a large can of extra strength Raid spray.
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Stop approximately 10 feet from the entrance and set the bucket down. Cover your face with a mask and spray the sides of the bucket with Raid. Spray until the sides are well coated and there is a reasonable quantity of insecticide pooling in the bottom.
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Pick up the bucket and approach the opening to the nest. Invert the bucket over the opening and place the bricks on top.
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Leave the bucket over the nest for 2 to 4 days, or until the buzzing stops.
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For a chemical-free alternative, approach the hive at night, as above, and place three folded black, waterproof tarps over the hive entrance. Use patio stones to secure the tarps, covering the entire surface area and leave the tarps in place for at least a week.
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Tips & Warnings
If possible, wear light-colored pants with elastic ankles, thick socks, leather shoes and a long-sleeved shirt (tucked in or belted) when approaching the bees. Just because they all should be back in the hive, doesn't mean they all are. Do not swat the sand bees! If the bee thinks you mean to kill it, it will send out a chemical "help" alarm signal and all the others will come rushing to its assistance. Also, sand bees tend to fly in a straight line, so mixing it up a bit as you move can help you lose them.
Do not hang around after you cover the hive. Do not approach the covered hive for at least 24 hours.
Resources
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
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Comments
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bradzio
May 08, 2010
Does the person who wrote this article even know what sand bees are? They don't have hives. They don't make honey, so beekeepers won't want them. They are solitary bees that build nests underground. The other bees will hatch next year and probably fly off to nest elsewhere. They will only sting if you bother them and so probably won't. There is no need to destroy their nests.
