Seeing bees hovering low over your lawn can be an alarming sight Your first thought may be, “Why are there bees in my yard?” Rest assured, there are a few good reasons bees may be checking out your grass Understanding their behavior can help you respond appropriately. With some simple steps, you can deter bees from lingering on your lawn without harming these important pollinators.
Why Are Bees Hovering Over the Lawn?
Bees hovering over your lawn are likely doing one of three things
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Searching for a nesting spot. Ground-nesting bees like bumblebees may be scoping out areas to build underground colonies. Bare patches of soil are ideal nest locations.
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Foraging for food. Bees collect nectar and pollen from flowers. If blooms are sprouting up in your grass, they will attract hungry bees. Clover, dandelions, and other lawn weeds provide plentiful pollen.
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Looking for water. Bees need water to cool their hives and feed their young. Damp soil and puddles in your lawn can draw bees looking for a drink.
Bee Species That Nest in Lawns
If you have bees setting up home in your yard, they likely belong to one of these ground-dwelling species:
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Bumblebees – Large and fuzzy, bumblebees nest in small underground colonies.
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Mining bees – Solitary bees that burrow tunnels in lawns and gardens to lay eggs.
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Sweat bees – Tiny, shiny bees that get their name from licking sweat. Their nests are found just under the soil.
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Carpenter bees – While they nest in wood, carpenter bees will forage low in grassy areas.
What To Do About Bees in Your Lawn
Seeing the occasional bee visiting your lawn is nothing to worry about. But if you want to discourage them from lingering, here are a few tips:
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Mow regularly – Keep the grass trimmed to deter ground nesting. Be sure not to mow if bees are actively foraging.
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Eliminate bare patches – Fill in bare soil to remove nesting sites. Consider overseeding in the fall.
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Remove flowering weeds – Bees are attracted to blooms like clover and dandelions. Use a weed control product to eliminate flowers.
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Provide a bee bath – Give bees a designated water source so they don’t scout for moisture in your lawn.
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Avoid pesticides – Chemicals reduce bee populations. Use natural solutions first before resorting to insecticides.
When To Worry About Bees in Your Yard
In most cases, bees in your lawn are nothing to fret about. Their presence is a sign of a healthy ecosystem. However, certain situations do require action:
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Bees are aggressively defending their nest and stinging people or pets.
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You see evidence of a large bee colony in your yard, such as excessive activity at a hole.
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Bees nesting in areas like playgrounds or high-traffic zones pose a risk.
If bees become a nuisance or safety issue, contact a bee removal professional. They can safely extract the colony without unnecessary harm to the bees.
Enjoy Your Lawn while Supporting Pollinators
Having a lush green lawn and supporting bee populations aren’t mutually exclusive. With a few tweaks to your landscaping, you can maintain a tidy yard while also providing bees with the nesting spots, food, and water they need to thrive. Learning to coexist with these important pollinators is key to sustaining both your outdoor space and the ecosystem.
Miner Bee Damage to Lawn
FAQ
What kind of bees hover over the grass?
Why are there bees all over my lawn?
Why are bees hovering over my grass?
There are a few different reasons why bees may be hovering over your grass. As covered in the article, bees may be attracted to certain flowers or they may be looking for a source of water. Additionally, some types of bees build their nests in the ground, which explains why they are often found hovering close to it.
Which bees are hovering over my yard?
These include bumblebees, carpenter bees, and sweat bees. To give you a better idea of which bees are hovering over your yard, be sure to read these short descriptions below. Bumblebees are large, fuzzy insects that are typically yellow and black. They are important pollinators and they often nest in the ground.
Are bumblebees hovering over your yard?
To give you a better idea of which bees are hovering over your yard, be sure to read these short descriptions below. Bumblebees are large, fuzzy insects that are typically yellow and black. They are important pollinators and they often nest in the ground. These bees are not aggressive and they will only sting humans if they feel threatened.
Do all bees hover over the ground?
No, not all bees hover over the ground. In fact, some bees actually live in trees or shrubs. However, there are a few types of bees that are known to hover close to the ground, such as bumblebees, carpenter bees, and sweat bees. What does a hovering bee mean?
How do I stop bees from hovering over my grass?
If you want to discourage bees from hovering over your grass, make sure to mow it regularly. This will create a neat and tidy appearance that bees are not likely to find appealing. Moreover, this will get rid of any flowers that may be attracting them since they won’t be able to grow. If playback doesn’t begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Why do bees fly over my lawn?
This means that they may fly around your yard, looking for the perfect spot to set up their hive. If you have seen a bee hovering over your grass, it is possible that they are considering using your lawn as a site for their new home! While this may seem like a bad thing, there are actually some benefits to having bees nest on your property.