Ground Bees Identification Guide
Andrena spp.
Solitary bees that nest in your lawn but rarely pose a threat to homeowners.
Taxonomy
Ground Bees Coloration
Common color patterns to help identify ground bees
Ground Bees
Seasonal Activity
When ground bees are most active throughout the year
Where Ground Bees Are Found
Hover over states to see their names. Green regions indicate where ground bees have been reported.
Ground Bees Identification Guide
Physical Characteristics
Ground bees look like honeybees but have some key differences. Most are between 1/4 and 3/4 inch long. They have fuzzy bodies with fine hairs that help them collect pollen. Colors include black, brown, orange, and yellow.
Unlike honeybees, ground bees are solitary. This means each female creates and maintains her own nest. You won’t find a hive or large colony structure underground. Instead, you’ll see individual small holes scattered across an area of your lawn.
The easiest way to tell ground bees from yellowjackets is by their appearance and behavior. Ground bees are fuzzy and move slowly. Yellowjackets are smooth, shiny, and much more aggressive.
Common Species in the DC Metro Area
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Mining Bees (Andrena species): The most common ground-nesting bees in Virginia and Maryland. They have fuzzy bodies, often with orange or brown coloring.
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Sweat Bees (Halictidae family): Small bees, often metallic green or black. They are attracted to human sweat.
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Cellophane Bees (Colletes species): Named for the plastic-like material they use to line their burrows.
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Digger Bees (Anthophora species): Larger and faster than mining bees, often with pale bands on their abdomen.
Ground Bees Behavior and Biology
Ground bees emerge in early spring, usually between March and May in the DC metro area. They come out on warm days when spring flowers start to bloom.
Each female ground bee digs her own burrow in the soil. She prefers areas with bare or sparse grass, dry sandy soil, and good sun exposure. The burrow goes several inches deep and ends in a small chamber where she lays her eggs.
After digging her nest, the female spends her short adult life gathering pollen and nectar. She packs this food into the chamber along with her eggs. When done, she seals the nest and dies. The entire process takes 4 to 6 weeks.
The eggs hatch underground and the larvae feed on the stored pollen. They develop through the summer and fall, then spend the winter as pupae. The new adult bees emerge the following spring to start the cycle again.
Male ground bees emerge first and patrol the nesting area looking for females. They may appear aggressive as they hover and dart around, but male ground bees cannot sting. The females that emerge later are capable of stinging but almost never do unless directly handled.
Ground bees pollinate early-blooming plants like fruit trees, vegetables, and wildflowers. Their early spring activity makes them active before many other insects.
How We Treat for Ground Bees
Ground bees are solitary and rarely sting, but treatment may still be needed in some cases. If they are nesting near a playground, pool, or patio where people walk barefoot, you may want them removed. This is especially true if someone in your household has a bee sting allergy.
Treatment Options:
For active ground bee nests, we apply a residual insecticide to the soil around the nest entrances. This eliminates the bees currently using the area. Treatment is most effective in the early evening when bees have returned to their burrows.
Habitat Modifications:
We may also recommend changes to prevent future nesting:
- Watering: Ground bees prefer dry soil. Regular watering makes the area less appealing.
- Thickening the lawn: Fill in thin or bare patches to remove the exposed soil they need.
- Mulching: Add mulch to garden beds to cover bare soil.
Not Sure What You Have?
If you’re unsure whether you have ground bees or yellowjackets, give us a call at 703-683-2000. Our licensed technicians can identify the species and recommend the right treatment. Yellowjackets require immediate treatment due to their aggressive nature.
References
Other Bees
Explore other species in the bees family
Commonly Confused With
Ground Bees are often mistaken for these similar pests
Where Ground Bees Are Found
Hover over states to see their names. Green regions indicate where ground bees have been reported.
Common Questions about Ground Bees
How do I know if I have ground bees?
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Look for small holes (about the size of a pencil) in bare or thin patches of your lawn. You may see small mounds of loose soil around each hole. Ground bees are active during the day, especially in early spring, and you'll often see them flying low over the lawn.
Are ground bees dangerous?
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Ground bees are not aggressive and rarely sting. Female ground bees can sting if directly handled or stepped on, but they do not defend their nests like yellowjackets. Male ground bees cannot sting at all. Most people can walk or mow near ground bee nests without issue.
Will ground bees damage my lawn?
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Ground bees do not damage lawns. Their small burrows actually help aerate the soil. The bees are only active for 4-6 weeks in early spring, and the nest holes naturally fill in over time.
How do I get rid of ground bees?
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If ground bees are in a high-traffic area or someone in your household has an allergy, we can treat the area with a residual insecticide applied to the soil. For less urgent situations, habitat changes like regular watering or thickening your lawn can discourage nesting.
Are ground bees the same as yellowjackets?
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No. Ground bees are fuzzy, solitary bees that rarely sting. Yellowjackets are smooth, aggressive wasps that nest in large colonies and will sting repeatedly if disturbed. If you see many insects flying in and out of a single hole, it is likely yellowjackets, not ground bees.
How long do ground bees stay in my yard?
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Ground bees are typically active for only 4-6 weeks in early spring. After mating and laying eggs, the adult bees die off. The eggs hatch underground and the new bees won't emerge until the following spring.
Can I prevent ground bees from nesting?
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Ground bees prefer bare, dry, sandy soil with sparse grass. Maintaining a thick, healthy lawn and watering regularly can discourage nesting. Adding mulch to garden beds also makes the area less attractive to ground bees.
Do ground bees come back every year?
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Yes, ground bees often return to the same general area each spring. Offspring from the previous year emerge and may create new burrows near where they hatched. This is normal and not a sign of an infestation.
More Resources About Ground Bees
Explore our guides and articles for more information about ground bees.
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that's been protecting homes for over 57 years. He manages and trains a team of service pros while also leading internal research efforts—recently spearheading a deep-dive review of thousands of documents on pest control materials to hand-pick the most kid and pet friendly, most effective solutions tailored specifically for homes in the DC metro area.