Not native honeybees and native bumble bees are often the first bees that people think of because they are big and easy to spot. But there are thousands of other, lesser known species of native bees. Ground nesting bees, whose name comes from the fact that they dig holes in the ground to raise their young, are some of the most interesting. Many people have never heard of ground nesting bees, but they make up about 70% of our native bee population. They are also known as mining bees, miner bees, or digger bees.
Discovering a bee’s nest in your yard can be alarming at first. However, most ground nesting bees are solitary, docile creatures that play a vital role as pollinators. Learning to identify their nests and habits can help you coexist safely with these important insects. Here are some tips for locating and identifying underground bee nests on your property.
Signs of Underground Bee Activity
The most obvious evidence of ground nesting bees is small mounds of excavated soil, usually with a larger central hole. These nest entrances may appear starting in early spring when queen bees emerge from hibernation. The nest holes are often surrounded by flattened bare patches as the bees clear space around their burrows.
You may also notice bees flying low over the ground in search of suitable nest sites or see them entering and exiting holes Excavated soil around the rims of holes results from the bees’ digging Females spend hours each day digging, gradually extending the nest.
Keep an eye out for these signs of ground bee activity
- Small piles of loose soil with a large central hole
- Bare patches of flattened earth around holes
- Bees hovering low over the ground or diving into holes
- New holes and mounds appearing over time
Locating Active Nests
Focus your search in areas of dry, bare soil in full sunlight. Ground nesting bees prefer sloped or flat ground with good drainage. South-facing banks, lawns, fields, and meadows are prime real estate.
Gently approach potential nest sites while watching for bee activity. Be patient and move slowly to avoid disturbing them. You may need to observe for a while to confirm if a hole is active. Signs include:
- Bees entering and leaving the nest
- Freshly excavated soil around the hole
- Defensive activity around the hole
Avoid active nests to prevent aggravating the bees. Mark the locations and steer clear while the bees are nesting, typically through late summer or fall.
Identifying the Species
Figuring out the species can help you assess how defensive the bees may become. Some are quite docile, while others are more aggressive when disturbed.
If you can safely observe their activity, look for:
- Distinctive markings like bands of color on the abdomen
- Body shape and size
- Presence of pollen baskets on legs
- Foraging and digging behaviors
Refer to guides with photos to compare features. Common ground nesters include mining bees, sweat bees, plasterer bees, and digger bees.
When to Worry
Thousands of harmless solitary ground bees make up the majority of species. But a few types like bumblebees can deliver painful stings when threatened.
Contact a bee removal expert if you spot:
- Aggressive activity around nests
- Multiple entrance holes close together
- Unusually large piles of excavated soil
- Nests near high-traffic areas
Signs like these could indicate potentially aggressive species. Never disturb nests on your own. Simply avoid the area and have an expert assess and remove the bees if necessary.
Coexisting Peacefully
In most cases, ground nesting bees are not a cause for concern. Here are some tips for safely living alongside these important pollinators:
- Let them bee – avoid nests and give bees ample space
- Check nest locations often, especially if children or pets frequent the area
- Limit use of pesticides – they can harm bee populations
- Plant pollinator-friendly flowers and shrubs away from nest sites
- Install warning signs or barriers around large nesting areas
With some awareness and common sense, you can appreciate nature’s pollinators up close while keeping your family and pets protected. A live and let live approach allows all to safely enjoy the outdoors!
Please Don’t Confuse Them with Ground Nesting Wasps!
People have told me more than once that they don’t want ground nesting bees because they are mean and will sting. It’s clear from a few quick questions that they’re talking about yellowjackets, a type of social, ground-nesting wasp that can be mean and will definitely sting if it feels threatened.
Our native ground nesting bees are quite the opposite. Their nests don’t have a lot of food or other things to protect like honey bee, ant, or even yellowjacket nests do. The result is that our native ground nesting bees are not aggressive at all.
We have a nesting area on our property that I often walk right by. I can get pretty close to the bees and still they don’t pay any attention to me. They fly away or hide in their nests until they are sure I’m not a threat if they pay me any attention. There’s no need to worry if our native ground nesting bees decide to live in your yard or garden.
A lot of bees that nest in the ground get out of their burrows early in the spring, before the trees leaf out. Mating occurs soon after the bees emerge. The females then begin to dig their nests. Each female will dig her own nest, which usually has one main tunnel and a few shorter ones on either side.
After the female digs her nest, she secretes a waterproofing substance from a gland on her abdomen. The substance soaks into the soil. The female rubs the ground in a special, flat spot behind her until it forms a wall that keeps water out.
Once a side tunnel is complete, she’ll gather pollen and nectar which she forms into a small ball. Each side tunnel gets its own ball of nectar and pollen. After that, she’ll put an egg on top of each ball of pollen and nectar and close off the side tunnel so that each of her babies has its own “room.” ”.
Depending on the species, the bee may lay its eggs underground and emerge as an adult after as little as 11 months. Most species of ground nesting bees only live for a few weeks as an adult. The females have to dig a nest, mate, lay eggs, and feed their young in that short amount of time. After the adults die, the process starts all over again with the eggs that are growing underground.
Not Social, But May Have Many Neighbors
Most ground nesting bees are solitary nesters, which means that a female builds and takes care of her own burrow. However, there can be a colony of several individual nest burrows in a small area. Only the bees know if this is because they want to nest close to each other or because they like a certain spot of ground to dig in. This may be different for each species.
Even though the burrows are close to each other, the females don’t help or interact with each other. Think of it kind of like a subdivision where each female has her own “house. Since the bees live alone, even a lot of nests only hold a small number of bees. This is in contrast to a honeybee hive, which can have tens of thousands of bees.
How To Get Rid Of Yellow Jacket / Ground Wasp Nest With ONE STEP!
FAQ
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