HOT Topics!! Ground Dwelling Bees

HOT Topics are topics that seem to generate a lot of interest/questions.  


It's Spring and all is a buzz in our lawns and gardens, literally.  Quite a few people have been inquiring about a swarm of bees in their lawn.  These bees are known as Ground Dwelling Bees.  These are a "solitary" bee as opposed to a "social" bee like the Honey Bee.  Ground Dwelling Bees dig holes in the ground for their nest.  They emerge in March and April and reproduce from March until May.  The female will dig a burrow at night, and during the day, she will collect pollen and nectar.  She sticks the pollen and nectar into her burrow.  She then will lay an egg on the pollen and nectar where the larvae will feed until they emerge as adults next March or April.  These bees are not aggressive.

The holes in your yard are unattractive, but on the positive side, it does help to aerate your lawns.  The Ground Dwelling Bee likes to nest in bare dry spots.  Water this area and plant some vegetation to reduce the likelihood that the bee will nest.  If you have a spot that grass is difficult to grow, call the office 652-8104, and we can discuss different ground covers that might work better in that location.