Ground Bees

• Ground bees do not form large nests that survive for generations. Instead, a female ground bee digs a nest in well-drained, exposed soil where she will raise her offspring. Ground bees have stingers but rarely injure humans. Because they do not swarm out of a nest, they are rarely a danger to people or animals. Occasionally, large numbers of ground bees will nest in the same area, which can create a nuisance of many bees on the ground. The same thing can happen when male ground bees compete for a female's attention, leading to a concentration of bees in one area.
  
  

Repellents

• Hot peppers contain a compound called capsaicin. This compound is what makes your lips burn when you eat the peppers. It causes the same burning sensation in bees that encounter it. Create a ground bee repellent by cutting up a cup of hot peppers. Pour two pints of boiling water over the peppers, then let them sit in the water until it cools. Strain the liquid into a spray bottle. To increase the repellent properties of the liquid, add a cut-up clove of garlic to the bottle.
  
  

Applications

• Spray the hot pepper solution anywhere you would like to keep your yard clear of ground bees. Keep in mind that the capsaicin will burn your skin and eyes, so wear gloves while working with it and take care not to let any of it mist into your face. Keep children and pets away until the solution has a chance to dry, and avoid spraying it into any favorite play areas. To keep the repellent working, you will need to reapply it every few days so rain and time do not have a chance to wear away the capsaicin.
  
  

Considerations

• Ground bees are not harmful; they pollinate plants and can help aerate the soil in your garden. The adults are usually active and noticeable for about two to four weeks, so if possible do not disturb the ground bees but instead wait them out. The ground bee repellent will work on other insects, so it could deter other beneficial insects from coming into your yard or garden.