Ground Bees Are Critical Pollinators Too

Although most people think bees live in beehives and buzz around their hive, ground bees comprise more than 70% of all bee species. It may be surprising that not all ground bees can fly, so they nest underground.

Ground bees are known as digger bees, and they burrow into the ground to nest. They are primarily solitary, so the female bee goes into the small hole in the dirt to lay the eggs. The eggs hatch underground, and then the hatchlings spend winter under the surface. Summertime brings ground bees out. In the spring, the females start digging again for the next round of eggs.

Ground bees, like hive-dwelling bees, vary in color and size. Large ground bees appear darker than honeybees and even a little fuzzier. They have a metallic coloring that may include stripes.

Identifying Ground Bee Nests

Ground bee nests may not alert people to their existence, but once it is determined that they are nesting, some people want to have ground bees removed. There are benefits to having ground bees on your property, so don’t act too hastily when making this decision.

Ground bees are not aggressive because they are not defending a queen or the hive. Of course, if a female ground bee feels threatened or gets stepped on, it will protect itself. Male ground bees hover above the nests and will not sting because they can’t, but they may try to chase away what they perceive as a threat. Another way to identify if the dirt piles are ground bees is that only one bee will go in and out of the best at a time, unlike beehives and wasps’ nests, where there is abundant activity at the entrance. If you are unsure, ask your local beekeeper because trying to get a wasp nest to move can go badly quickly.

Ground bees are pollinators, so they, too, play a critical role in pollination. Ground bees appear in the spring; some only feed from one plant because they use early blooms. Other bee species use blooms from summer through fall and even into winter, so colony bees have more diverse nectar and pollen options than ground bees. The good news is that if you or someone in your family is allergic and you want to get rid of the ground nests, you don’t have to kill them, and there are several ways to do so.

Approaching Ground Bee Removals

Bees are incredibly adaptable, and the access to each nest is a small hole so that the holes can be covered without too much difficulty. Once they determine they can’t get back into the hole, they will move on to another area to nest. Ground bees choose nesting sites where the grass is not growing, and the soil is well drained. Planting sod or using mulch can deter ground bees from nesting. Piggybacking on the above, ground bees need dry soil so that wetting soil will send them somewhere else. Often, watering the lawn with a sprinkler can be enough of a deterrent but may require a few attempts.

Before attempting to remove ground bees, take proper precautions, including working after dusk when bees are less active. Trying to send them on their way might aggravate them, and it is not worth the risk of being stung. You can always ask a local beekeeper to help you because they will have the proper equipment and experience to get this done safely. They may charge a fee, but doing it right and without risk should be considered.

Approach All Bees with Caution

Always exercise extreme caution when working near bees. Experienced beekeepers highly recommend avoiding toxic chemicals that can kill ground bees, create an imbalance in our ecosystem, and put your family and pets at risk. If you have any questions about dirt piles on your property that you suspect may be from ground bees and have any bee allergies, do not attempt to deter or remove bees.

Ground bees are often less noticeable than colony bees because they fly low to the ground, and their buzz is much quieter than other bees. However, many roles are similar, with nectar and pollen collection tasks for males and females. Females will place their collected pollen and nectar in their nests before laying eggs. Male ground bees may act aggressive, but they can’t sting, so the worst they can do is chase you away, which can be scary!