Megachilidae also know as mason bees or Leaf cutter bees are solitary insects that use the materials they collect, in this case, (leaves, and soil) to line their nest which they then use to create cells for their eggs.
However, they can also be a nuisance to gardeners, as their nesting habits can cause a lot damage to plants. If you are someone who has leaf cutter bees on your property and you’re looking for ways to get rid of them, you’re in luck!
In this blog post, we will discuss “not one” but ten ways you can get rid of leaf cutter bees!
Take note: Depending on the size of the nest, some of these methods may carry risks! If you find that the job is just to big or risky we recommend that you call a professional as they can deal with the problem more effectively.
1. Destroy The Beehive
The most obvious way to get rid of leafcutter bees is to remove their hive. This can be tricky, as the bees will often go on defense when their hive is disturbed. So it’s important to take caution when removing a beehive, as you don’t want to anger the bees and risk being stung.
Megachilidae nests are very different from your average bee, in that they don’t build their nests. Instead, they use holes in trees, walls, or on the garden floor. Once they find a hole that’s the right size, they will line it with leaves, petals or soil, to create cells for their eggs as mentioned earlier.
For this reason the best way to destroy the nest is to fill it in! However, before you do this it’s best to use a form of power (spicy powder works best) so the bees can exit the nest and not become trapped and die, once they are all gone simply fill it in with soil or cement.
Instructions:
- Locate The Leaf Cutter Bees Nest
- Spray Powder Inside The Hive
- Wait 20 Mins For Bees To Exit
- Repeat Again If Needed
- Fill In The Nest
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2. Use Spicy Powder
Using spicey powder is a great way to get rid of leafcutter bees, as they don’t like the smell of spices. You can make your own spicy powder by mixing cayenne pepper, chili powder, and paprika.
Once you have your powder, sprinkle it around the areas where you’ve seen the leafcutter bees.
This option is also great if the nest is located in a place you can’t fill in, such as plant steam where these bees commonly nest as the powder will deter the bees from coming back to that area.
Depending on the size of the nest you may need to a lot of powder, so it’s best to make a large batch ahead of time. Repeated attempts may be necessary to remove all the bees from the hive.
Instructions:
- Make Your Spicy Mix
- Spend To Mix Inside & Around The Nest
- Wait Until The bees Have Left The Nest
- Repeat Again If Needed
3. Use A Vacuum
If you’re looking for a more humane way to get rid of leafcutter bees, you can try using a bee vacuum. This is a device that will suck up the bees without harming them.
Take Note: When using a vacuum it’s highly recommended that you wear some protected clothing as you don’t want to get stung while trying to remove the bees!
Once they are in the vacuum, you can release them into a different area away from your home or garden. This method is great if you don’t want to kill the bees, but it’s important to note that it may not be 100% effective.
Some bees may still remain in your vacuum after you’ve released them, so it’s best to use this method in conjunction with another one on this list.
Instructions:
- Put On Some Protective Clothing
- Add The Long Nosel Extention
- Such Up All The Bees Into The Vacuum
- Release Them Into A New Area
4. Use Puff Smoke
Smoke is a great way to get rid of leafcutter bees, and is used by many beekeepers. Snoke actually interferes with the bees’ sense of smell, as a result, they can no longer detect low concentrations of the pheromones.
Which means they can’t communicate with each other or find their way back to the hive!
To use this method, simply light a small fire in a metal container and place it near the nest. The smoke should start to drive the bees away within minutes. Once they are gone, you can put out the fire and remove the hive.
Instructions:
- Light Your Smoke Source
- Hold It Near The Entrance Of The Hive
- Wait For The Bees To Flee
- Fill In The Nest
5. Use Water And Vinegar
A mixture of water and vinegar is a great way to get rid of leafcutter bees. Leafcutter bees have a powerful sense of smell, and the vinegar will become very unpleasant to them. soaking up some rags in the mixture and placing them near the hive will encourage the bees to leave.
You can also spray the mixture directly onto the bees, but be careful not to drench them as this could kill them.
If you’re using this method, it’s best to do it in the evening when most of the bees are inside the hive. This will give them less time to escape and hopefully encourage them to leave for good.
Instructions:
- Mix Water And Vinegar In A Bowl Or Sprayer Bottle
- Places The Rags Near The Nest Or Spray Directly Onto Bees
- Wait For The Bees To Leave
- Repeat Again If Needed
- Fill In Or Remove The Hive
6. Use Bee Repelling Plants
There are a few plants that bees don’t like, and planting them near your home can help to keep them away. Some of the most effective bee repelling plants include:
- Geraniums
- Wormwood
- Marigolds
- Pitcher Plants
However, Ths mean removing any plants you may have that the bees are attracted to, and replacing them with bee repelling plants.
This method may take some time to work, but it’s worth a try if you’re looking for a more natural solution. If not then try some of the other methods on this list.
Instructions:
- Identify Plants That Bees Don’t Like
- Remove Attractive Plants From The Area
- Plant Bee Repelling Plants Instead
- Enjoy Your Bee Free Zone!
7. Use Mothballs
Mothballs are another great way to get rid of leafcutter bees. Typically they are designed for moths, however, the smell they give off is also very unpleasant to bees. You can place mothballs near the hive or inside of it to encourage the bees to leave.
Just be careful where you place them as they can be very harmful if ingested by animals. If you have pets, it’s best to keep them away from the area where you’re using mothballs.
Instructions:
- Place Mothballs Near The Hive Or Inside Of It
- Be Careful Where You Place Them
- Enjoy Your Bee Free Zone!
8. Use An Insecticide
If you’re looking for a more immediate solution, then using an insecticide is the way to go. There are a few different types of insecticides that will work, but you’ll want to make sure you choose one that’s specifically designed to kill bees.
It’s important to follow the instructions on the bottle carefully, as some insecticides can be very harmful if used incorrectly. Once you’ve sprayed the hive, give it a few days and see if the bees are gone. If not, then you may need to reapply the insecticide.
Instructions:
- Choose An Insecticide That Kills Bees
- Follow The Instructions On The Bottle
- Spray The Hive And Wait A Few Days
- Reapply If Necessary
9. Use A Natural Bee Lure
There are a few things that bees are attracted to like the scent of certain flowers or the sound of running water. You can use this to your advantage by creating a bee lure. This will help to attract the bees away from your home and into an area where you can capture or kill them.
To create a bee lure, you’ll need a container, some sugar water, and something that emits the scent or sound of what the bees are attracted to.
Once you have all of these things, simply place them in the container and wait for the bees to come. Once they’re inside, you can close the lid and remove them from your property.
Instructions:
- Gather A Container, And Bee lure
- Place Them In The Container
- Wait For The Bees To Come
- Close The Lid And Remove Them From Your Property
10. Remove Anything That Are Attracting Leaf Cutter Bees
Leafcutter bees are very attracted to certain things like flowers, trees, and man-made ideas. Basically anywhere they can make their nests. If you have any of these things near your home, it’s best to remove them.
This will make your home less inviting to leafcutter bees and hopefully encourage them to go elsewhere. If you can’t remove the attractant, then try using some of the other methods on this list to get rid of the bees.
Instructions:
- Identify Anything That May Be Attracting The Bees
- Remove The Attractants From The Area
- Or Prevent The Bees From Accessing Them
Alternatively, Call A Professional
If you’ve tried all of the methods on this list and you’re still having trouble getting rid of leafcutter bees, it may be time to call a professional. Pest control companies have the experience and knowledge to deal with leafcutter bees quickly and efficiently.
They will be able to identify the problem and come up with a plan to get rid of the bees for good.
While this may be the most expensive option, it’s often worth it to get rid of the problem once and for all. Not to mention, it will save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.
So if you’re at your wit’s end, don’t hesitate to give a pest control company a call. They’ll be able to help you get rid of these pesky critters in no time!
How To Get Rid Of Leaf Cutter Bees Naturally?
If you’re looking for ways to get rid of leafcutter bees naturally, there are a couple of things you can do. First, as mentioned in the list try planting some bee-repelling plants in your garden. Some can be very effective at removing bees.
Another option is to remove anything that may be attracting the bees to your home in the first place. These could be things like flowers, trees, or any structures that they find appealing. Finally, you can use a Natural Bee Lure which is also very effective.
Removing Leaf Cutter Bees Naturally:
- Natural Bee Lure
- Add Some Bee-Repelling Plants
- Remove Anything Attracting The Bees
How To Prevent Leaf Cutter Bees Returning?
Once you’ve gotten rid of the leaf cutter bees, it’s important to take some steps to prevent them from returning. One thing you can do is keep your yard clean and free of any potential nesting sites. This means removing things like piles of leaves or wood.
You should also regularly check your home for any cracks or openings that the bees could use to get inside and build a nest. If you find any, seal them up with caulking or another material.
- Remove Any Piles Of Leaves Or Wood
- Seal Up Any Cracks Or Opening
By taking these precautions, you can help prevent leafcutter bees from coming back in the future.
Things To Consider Before Removing Leaf Cutter Bees
Before you start trying to get rid of leafcutter bees, it’s important to check your local laws and regulations. In some countries, it may be against the law to kill cetin types of wildlife including bees. This is because they are considered to be important pollinators.
Another thing is to assess the situation and figure out if the bees are actually causing any harm. In most cases, they’re not going to cause any real damage to your home or garden. If this is the case, it may be best to just leave them alone.
You also want to see what you are dealing with before you take action. For example, if your dealing with a swarm of leafcutter bees then some of the methods on this list may not be the best option. In this case, you may want to call a professional who can safely remove them.
Conclusion
There are some useful methods that you can use to get rid of leafcutter bees. You can try insecticides, bee-repelling plants, or removing anything that’s attracting them to your home and hopefully, this will get rid of them. If not, you can always call a professional.
