Throughout childhood you are taught bees fly from flower to flower to pollinate and make honey, they protect the hive, their sting is painful, some people are allergic to them and to not disturb the hive and run away if you get swarmed. Where all the basic facts are true, it may come to a complete surprise to most folks, that there are some species of bees that actually live in the ground; they are known as ground bees. Today, we at Stewart Termite & Pest Control would like to shed some light on these unorthodox bees that live in the ground.
Bees Nest in the Ground
For starters, the first sign you may have ground or digger bees moving in your yard is spotting little holes with mounds of soil around them, very much like an ant mound, but with a bigger hole. Unlike the traditional bees we all know, ground bees are solitary bees and live alone in their individual hole, even though you may spy several burrows in the same area, creating a community of sorts. Ground bees vary in color as well as size, usually between ½”-3/4”.
Ground Bees Collect Pollen
Females will dig about 6 inches deep into the ground to raise the young. Often males will fly low in the community looking to mate, but play no other part in the offspring’s growth. They are usually more active during March and April. Females will hoard pollens and nectars to feed the young until they mature, when they are able to reproduce they move on to continue the cycle.
Are Ground Bees Dangerous?
Generally speaking, ground bees are nonaggressive, and will prefer flight over fight, but will sting if they feel it is the last resort. For the most part, ground bees do not cause much destruction to your lawn, but in fact with their little holes, oxygen and water can penetrate the root system. Most people do not experience much problems when mowing or performing maintenance tasks in their proximity. In most cases, ground bees will often move to new ground if the activity is intolerable. It is recommended however, that those allergic to bee stings stay clear of them for safety precautions.
Are Ground Bees Good or Bad?
If you do not mind their presence, or have no known allergies to them, ground bees are beneficial as they pollinate your plants, as well as destroy many harmful insects. You might take note that they will only be in your yard for 4-6 weeks and then they move on, possibility returning for the following year.
Stinging Insect Control
With the ground bees comings and goings regular preventative measures can prove challenging, but if family members have allergic reactions, or you simply prefer they vacate the premises, it is strongly encouraged you utilize the aid of a professional. Doing otherwise can result in destroying your foliage, or getting attacked. Stewart Termite & Pest Control professionals have experience, expertise, skills, and high-end quality equipment and products to make the ground bee removal a success without inflicting harm to the surrounding plant life. Call us today if you have bees that need to be evicted.