Ground Bees: Friend or Foe?

With Spring upon us and the Summer on the horizon, our lawns and gardens are getting buggy! We have many customers ask us about ground bees, also knows as solitary bees, which nest in the ground of lawns and gardens. Ground Bees create small mounds of excavated soil with a nest opening. With multiple nests it creates a “city-like” community. Damage to lawns and turf is usually minimal and control is often sought because the bees are perceived as a danger or annoyance. Solitary bees rarely sting and there is no mass attack as might be found with honey bees. Outdoor activities, including lawn mowing, can often be continued with no problem.

As a recommendation from our team, we say ground bees are friends more than foes! Unless you are having a severe issue with ground bees we say leave them alone because they pollinate plants which help your lawn! If you feel they are becoming more of a pain we can treat the lawn with an insecticide which usually takes two treatments to control the bees. As stated, we prefer not to treat but when the nests are unsightly and are located at the entrance of the home most just want the bees gone. The picture below is a lawn that has a large colony of ground bees. Ground bees tend to nest in the same area year after year so keep an eye out!