Bee colony underground - Ask Extension
Hi - last summer a bee colony built a nest underground near my front door. So many bees even after trying water and then cinnamon to encourage them t...
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Bee colony underground #927208
Asked March 31, 2026, 5:59 PM EDT
Hi - last summer a bee colony built a nest underground near my front door. So many bees even after trying water and then cinnamon to encourage them to leave. Now I think they will be back soon. How do I close this bees nest without hurting the bees?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
I do not know what kind of bees you had but bees, wasps, hornets do not live in the same nest year to year.
https://www.theyellowjacketexpert.com/news/2019/4/7/the-truth-about-last-years-nest
They will stay close because of the environment that you provide, such as a flower garden.
You cant make an underground wasp nest move so be selective and destroy nests that are close to human activity, like next to steps. I do not use pesticides that kill many favorable forms of insects. I have found that identifying the entrance by watching the insects fly in and out during the day.
At dusk, all the traffic will be inbound.
Set on nozzle on jet setting.
Turn the water off.
Stick the nozzle into the dormant nest--back away and turn the water on to full jet for 10 min. Turn off the water and pull the nozzle out from a far distance.
Watch to see if there is traffic or a second entrance on day two or three. Repeat.
Do not do this if you have a severe bee sting injury. Pets and susceptible humans should be inside as well.
This is much less toxic than nest bombs.
I do not know what kind of bees you had but bees, wasps, hornets do not live in the same nest year to year.
https://www.theyellowjacketexpert.com/news/2019/4/7/the-truth-about-last-years-nest
They will stay close because of the environment that you provide, such as a flower garden.
You cant make an underground wasp nest move so be selective and destroy nests that are close to human activity, like next to steps. I do not use pesticides that kill many favorable forms of insects. I have found that identifying the entrance by watching the insects fly in and out during the day.
At dusk, all the traffic will be inbound.
Set on nozzle on jet setting.
Turn the water off.
Stick the nozzle into the dormant nest--back away and turn the water on to full jet for 10 min. Turn off the water and pull the nozzle out from a far distance.
Watch to see if there is traffic or a second entrance on day two or three. Repeat.
Do not do this if you have a severe bee sting injury. Pets and susceptible humans should be inside as well.
This is much less toxic than nest bombs.
