Bumble Bee Control in Leon Springs and The Dominion
In Leon Springs and The Dominion, bumble bee nests are usually found by accident: big fuzzy black-and-yellow bees flying in and out of a clump of dry grass, a gap under a shed, an old rodent hole or a cushion left outside. These are native bees, several of them on Texas conservation lists, and they rarely sting unless the nest is disturbed. If the nest is out of the way, leaving it until the colony dies in late fall is a reasonable choice; if it's by a walkway or play area, have it looked at.
To talk it over or schedule a look, call or text (210) 281-1064, or go to our booking page.
Large, hairy and living in something old #
Insects in the City describes bumble bees as large, sturdy bees covered in hair, roughly 15 to 25 millimeters long and usually banded in black and yellow. TAIS counts nine species in Texas. They're our only native social bees.
Bumble bees don't dig. TAIS says they move into cavities something else already made. The usual spots, per AgriLife:
- clumps of dry grass and old bird nests
- abandoned rodent burrows
- hollow logs, rotten stumps and rubbish piles
- old buildings and sheds
- discarded cushions and furniture padding
A colony is modest in size: B-6118 says fewer than 2,000 bees, and TAIS puts it at 300 to 600 workers when food is plentiful.
A place used to sharing space with protected wildlife #
People here already live alongside protected species. Friedrich Wilderness Park, about 600 acres, includes nesting sites for the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo.
Bumble bees carry their own conservation flags. A TPWD-funded study reports that three Texas bumble bees were named Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the state's conservation plan. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened a status review of the American bumble bee in 2021, and its species page cites an 89% drop in abundance compared with bees sharing its habitat. As of a January 2026 federal notice, it was still unlisted.
We haven't found a Texas rule that bans removing a nest on private property. Still, given their status, leaving a nest that isn't causing trouble makes sense.
Sheds, dry grass and cushions in Cross Mountain and Scenic Oaks #
Census data show all 1,321 homes in Cross Mountain are detached single-family houses, and Scenic Oaks has 3,614 homes, nearly half built in the 2010s. That adds up to a lot of yards with storage sheds, patio furniture, compost corners and unmowed edges, all the kinds of spots AgriLife lists.
Queens that survived the winter start colonies in spring. The nest keeps growing through summer, raises new queens and males in mid- to late summer, then dies off near the end of fall.
Fuzzy tail or shiny one? #
Carpenter bees are the common mix-up. Both are big and black and yellow, but the top of a carpenter bee's abdomen is shiny and nearly bare, while a bumble bee is fuzzy all over. Carpenter bees bore round holes in wood; bumble bees don't. For wood damage, see our carpenter bee page for this area.
When a nest by the path needs attention #
Bumble bees seldom sting at flowers. Insects in the City notes they can sting repeatedly, though, and AgriLife says a disturbed colony may come out in a group. Most stings bring sharp pain and local swelling. For someone allergic, the CDC warns of anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction.
Reasons to act:
- the nest is beside a door, walkway or play area
- the colony has already stung someone
- a household member is allergic to bee or wasp stings
Never spray flowers to control bumble bees; that harms every pollinator that visits. And anyone with a sting allergy shouldn't approach the nest at all.
How Pest Trappers handles bumble bees in Leon Springs and The Dominion #
A technician confirms they're bumble bees, finds the nest entrance and weighs how close it is to where people go. Options include waiting out the season when that's practical; if the nest has to go, any product is applied by its label. Pest Trappers LLC (TPCL #0887549) is family-owned, with Travis Lambert as the certified applicator. You'll get a price after the inspection, and the office confirms the visit time. Our bumble bee guide covers the species, and the Leon Springs and The Dominion page lists other local pests.