builder bee nests

@thea09 (18305)
Greece
June 20, 2009 11:41am CST
Hi, does anyone know the best way to remove or destroy a builder bee nest? They are like a large wasp and they make nests inside anything wooden out of mud collected. We have one now and don't want to risk being bitten while getting rid of it.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
20 Jun 09
OK, this is what I do, and I do it for all kinds of bees, not just the mud daubers like you have. I read this a few years ago when I was having problems with those underground bees. They had a hole in my dogs outside kennel area. Once I did this it took a couple of days and then no more bees, they had moved elsewhere away from the house and kennel. This sounds stupid, yet it really works. You take a paper bag and blow some air into it (like you were going to pop it.) Then take a twistie tie, or string, and close it off. Then take some masking tape, duct tape, or whatever, and tape it up about eye level as close to their territory as you feel comfortable getting. The bees see it and think that a hornets nest is being built in their territory. Bees, being territorial creatures, will move because they won't build a hive or nest anywhere close to another hive or nest. If I had not tried this myself, I would have never believed something so simple could work so well. Just a few weeks ago my s-i-l told me I have bees building a nest by the light switch in the garage. So, I blew up a little paper sack and thumb tacked it a bit above where they were making their nest. Within a day they quit going to that nest, and they didn't even try to build another one in the garage. I think this works great, and I like it too because I don't have to use any chemicals. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
20 Jun 09
Thanks for that, I will give it a try as the nest is not too big yet and seems to be the work of just one returning builder bee.
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@saw2207 (1359)
• United States
12 Jul 09
wow JoyfulOne . . we have a hive right on the deck . .and it has been getting progressively worse . . . I am going to wait till it is dark out tonight to set one up!!! I think I am going to cancel the exterminator scheduled to come tomorrow and wait another few days and see if this works before he and his nasty chemicals come over. I am still scratching my head thinking in wonder!!!!!!!!
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
12 Jul 09
Wow, is there anything on earth that plain ole vinegar can't do?! I wish I would have known this one a few years ago as I had a huuuuuuuge one in this hidden place on the house where two outside walls and 2 rooflines meet...and I do mean huge!! (Even if I'd known about the paper sack idea then I wouldn't have been able to get up there.) Next time that happens (when I can't get to it) I'll have to put the vinegar my big orchard sprayer that shoots high up into trees. Can't hurt and might help! Thanks for passing that one along. I remember I was scared to use the chemicals because of the lung problems I already have. On the plus side with the paper sack, I might have a stupid looking garage, but I no longer have any bees hehehe.
1 person likes this
@liuchen63 (270)
• China
20 Jun 09
You should call the firemen! They have the best solution to solve this!And they have protect tools and they can help you to clean up the bee nest~~