Ground Bees: How to Identify Them, Are They Dangerous, and What Should You Do?

If you have noticed small holes in your lawn, bees flying low over the grass, or insects disappearing into the ground, you may have ground bees. The good news is that most ground-nesting bees are gentle native pollinators, active for only a short time each year, and are usually best left alone.

However, not every insect nesting in the ground is a bee. Some are yellowjackets or other wasps, which can be far more defensive. This guide explains how to identify ground bees, whether they sting, how to tell them apart from wasps, and what to do if they are nesting in an inconvenient place.

What Are Ground Bees?

“Ground bees” is a general term people use for bees that nest in the soil. It is not the name of one specific species.

Many native bees make their nests underground. Some dig individual tunnels in bare or thinly covered soil. Others use abandoned burrows, old rodent holes, gaps under rocks, or cavities beneath sheds and decks.

Most ground-nesting bees are solitary. This means each female bee builds and provisions her own nest rather than living in a large colony with a queen and workers. You may see many small nest holes close together, but that does not always mean the bees are living as one colony. Often, it simply means many females have chosen the same sunny, well-drained patch of soil.

Common ground-nesting bees include:

1. Mining bees
2. Digger bees
3. Cellophane bees
4. Sweat bees
5. Some bumblebees

Yellowjackets and some other wasps also nest underground, but they are not bees. They are often mistaken for ground bees because they fly in and out of holes in the soil.

How to Identify Ground Bees

The easiest way to identify ground bees is to look at the nest entrance, the insect’s body shape, the time of year, and the insects’ behavior.

1. Mining Bees

Mining bees are among the most common insects people call ground bees.

They are usually small to medium-sized bees that dig tunnels in the soil. Their nest entrances often look like tiny holes with small mounds of loose dirt around them. They prefer sunny areas with dry, well-drained soil and sparse vegetation.

Mining bees are most noticeable in spring. You may see males flying low over the ground, searching for females. This can make the area look busy, but the activity usually lasts only a few weeks.

Mining bees are excellent pollinators and are not usually aggressive.

Signs of mining bees:

• Small holes in the lawn or garden bed
• Loose soil around nest entrances
• Bees flying low over the ground
• Activity strongest in spring
• Little to no aggressive behavior

What to do: Leave them alone if possible. Their nesting season is short, and they are beneficial pollinators.

2. Digger Bees

Digger bees are another group of solitary bees that nest underground. Like mining bees, they excavate tunnels in soil and provision their nests with pollen and nectar for their young.

They often choose dry, sunny, open patches of ground. Some may nest in lawns, garden beds, paths, or banks of soil.

Digger bees can look intimidating because some species are fairly large, but they are generally not aggressive. They are focused on nesting and foraging, not bothering people.

Signs of digger bees:

• Individual tunnel entrances
• Bees entering and leaving small holes
• Nesting in bare or sandy soil
• Solitary behavior, even when many nests are nearby

What to do: Avoid disturbing the nest area. If they are in an inconvenient spot, water the area regularly and improve ground cover after the bees have finished nesting.

3. Cellophane Bees

Cellophane bees, also called plasterer bees, are solitary ground-nesting bees. They get their name from the thin, waterproof lining they create inside their underground nest cells.

These bees are often active early in the year and may appear in large numbers where conditions are suitable. They are valuable pollinators and are usually gentle.

Cellophane bees may be confused with other small ground bees, but the practical advice is the same: avoid disturbing them and let their nesting period pass.

Signs of cellophane bees:

• Small ground nests
• Spring activity
• Solitary nesting close to other individuals
• Little interest in people

What to do: Let them remain if they are not causing a direct problem.

4. Sweat Bees

Some sweat bees nest in the ground. They are usually small, and some species have metallic green, blue, or bronze coloring.

Sweat bees are attracted to moisture and salt, which is why they may land on sweaty skin. This behavior can be annoying, but they are not usually aggressive. They may sting if pressed against the skin, but their sting is typically mild compared with many wasps.

Sweat bees are important pollinators, especially in gardens and wildflower areas.

Signs of sweat bees:

• Small bees, sometimes metallic green
• Nesting in soil
• Occasional attraction to sweaty skin
• Active around flowers

What to do: Avoid swatting them. Brush them away gently and use sweat bee repellents if needed.

5. Bumblebees

Some bumblebees nest underground, often in abandoned rodent burrows or natural cavities. Others nest above ground in grass clumps, compost piles, bird boxes, wall cavities, sheds, or under decks.

Bumblebees are social bees. A nest contains a queen and workers, so it is different from a solitary mining bee nest. They are usually not aggressive while foraging, but they may defend their nest if it is disturbed.

Bumblebee nests are temporary. In many climates, the colony dies out naturally at the end of the season, and only new queens survive to start new nests elsewhere.

Signs of bumblebees:

• Fuzzy, round-bodied bees
• A steady flow of bees entering and leaving one entrance
• Nest may be in the ground, under a shed, in a compost pile, or in thick grass
• More activity as the colony grows

What to do: Avoid disturbing the nest. If it is in a low-risk area, leave it until the season ends. If it is near a door, children’s play area, or a high-traffic path, contact a professional or local bee rescue group for advice.

Are Ground Bees Good or Bad?

Most ground bees are beneficial.

They pollinate flowers, vegetables, fruit trees, shrubs, and native plants. Many native ground-nesting bees are especially important because they pollinate plants that honey bees may not visit as effectively.

Ground bees also tend to be seasonal. Many appear in spring, nest for a few weeks, and then disappear until the next year. The holes they leave behind are usually small and temporary.

In most cases, ground bees are not bad for your lawn or garden. They may look alarming when many bees are flying low over the grass, but most solitary ground bees are not interested in people or pets.

The main concerns are:

• Nesting in high-traffic areas
• Confusion with aggressive ground-nesting wasps
• Sting risk for people with allergies
• Children or pets disturbing nest entrances
• Large numbers of insects near doors, patios, or walkways

Do Ground Bees Sting?

Some ground bees can sting, but most are not aggressive. Female bees are the ones that can sting. Males cannot sting, even though they may hover around nest sites and appear busy or territorial.

Solitary ground-nesting bees rarely sting unless they are handled, stepped on barefoot, trapped against skin, or directly threatened. They do not usually defend their nests in the same aggressive way that yellowjackets do.

Bumblebees can sting and may defend their nest if it is disturbed. They are usually gentle while foraging on flowers, but a nest under a deck, in a compost pile, or near a doorway should be treated with caution.

Yellowjackets are different. They are wasps, not bees, and they can be highly defensive around underground nests. If insects are swarming aggressively from one main hole, chasing people, or stinging repeatedly, you may be dealing with yellowjackets rather than ground bees.

Ground Bees vs Yellowjackets

Many people who think they have ground bees actually have yellowjackets.

Yellowjackets are wasps. They can nest underground, often in abandoned rodent holes or cavities. Unlike most solitary ground bees, yellowjackets live in colonies and can aggressively defend their nest.

This distinction is important because yellowjacket nests can be dangerous, especially near children, pets, walkways, patios, or entrances.

If you are not sure whether you have bees or yellowjackets, do not put your face, hands, hose, lawn mower, or tools near the nest entrance to investigate. Watch from a safe distance instead.

Are Ground Bees Bad for Lawns?

Ground bees usually do little to no lasting damage to lawns.

The small holes and soil mounds may look untidy, but they are usually temporary. In many cases, the bees choose areas where the grass is already thin, dry, or patchy. They are attracted to bare or sparsely covered soil because it is easier to dig.

If you repeatedly get ground bees in the same area, the solution is usually to improve the lawn or ground cover rather than kill the bees.

Helpful prevention steps include:

• Grow thicker turf
• Reseed bare patches
• Water dry areas during nesting season
• Add mulch to bare garden beds
• Plant groundcovers in difficult lawn areas
• Reduce exposed soil near patios and walkways

If the insects in your lawn are solitary ground bees and they are nesting in a low-traffic area, the best option is to leave them alone. They are beneficial, their nesting period is short, and they are unlikely to sting unless disturbed.

You may need to take action if:

• The nest is beside a door, patio, or walkway
• Children or pets are likely to disturb the nest
• Someone in the household has a serious sting allergy
• The insects are aggressive
• You suspect yellowjackets or another wasp species
• There is heavy activity in a high-use area of the yard

The goal should be safe management, not unnecessary extermination.

How to Safely Discourage Ground Bees

If ground bees are nesting somewhere inconvenient, use gentle habitat changes first.

1. Water the Area

Many solitary ground bees prefer dry, well-drained soil. Regular watering can make the area less attractive for nesting.

Use a sprinkler or gently water the area over several days. Do not shove a hose directly into an active nest hole. That can provoke insects and may be unsafe if the nest belongs to yellowjackets.

2. Improve Lawn Density

Ground bees often choose thin or patchy lawns. Reseeding, fertilizing appropriately, and maintaining healthy turf can reduce future nesting.

Dense grass makes it harder for ground-nesting bees to access bare soil.

3. Cover Bare Soil

In garden beds, add mulch where appropriate. In landscape areas, use groundcovers, native plants, or low-growing vegetation to reduce open soil.

This is especially helpful along paths, slopes, and sunny bare patches.

4. Avoid Pesticides When Possible

Many ground bees are native pollinators. Pesticides can harm them and other beneficial insects, including butterflies, honey bees, and natural pest predators.

If the insects are not aggressive, avoid spraying.

5. Wait It Out

Many ground-nesting bees are active for only a short season. If the nest is not in a dangerous location, waiting is often the easiest and most environmentally friendly solution.

What Not to Do

Some common DIY methods are unsafe or harmful.

1. Do not pour gasoline, diesel, bleach, boiling water, or harsh chemicals into ground nests. These methods can contaminate soil and water, harm plants and wildlife, create fire hazards, and put people and pets at risk.
2. Do not mow directly over an active nest if you are unsure what it is. If the insects are yellowjackets, the vibration can trigger a defensive attack.
3. Do not block a nest entrance with your hand, foot, rock, or object while insects are active. Trapped insects may find another way out or become defensive.
4. Do not assume every ground nest is harmless. If the insects are aggressive, treat the area as a possible wasp nest.

When to Call a Professional

Call a licensed pest control professional if the insects are aggressive, the nest is near a high-traffic area, or you cannot confidently identify them.

Professional help is especially important if:

• Someone nearby has a known sting allergy
• The nest is near children or pets
• The nest is beside a doorway, deck, patio, or playground
• The insects chase people or sting repeatedly
• There is one busy entrance with many yellow and black insects
• You suspect yellowjackets, hornets, or wasps
• The nest is inside a wall, structure, or hard-to-reach cavity

If the insects are bumblebees, you may also be able to contact a local beekeeper, pollinator group, or wildlife-friendly pest service for advice. Bumblebee relocation is not always simple, but removal is not always necessary either.

How to Make Your Yard Ground Bee Friendly

If the bees are nesting in a safe location, consider letting them stay. Ground-nesting bees are important pollinators, and many are declining because of habitat loss, pesticide use, and lack of nesting sites.

You can support them by:

• Leaving a small sunny patch of bare soil in a low-traffic area
• Planting native flowers
• Avoiding pesticides
• Growing flowers that bloom from spring through fall
• Leaving some natural areas undisturbed
• Avoiding heavy mulch in every part of the garden
• Providing shallow water sources for pollinators

The goal is balance. You can discourage bees from nesting near doors and walkways while still allowing them to use safer, quieter parts of your yard.

Ground bees are often misunderstood. While the sight of insects flying in and out of the lawn can be unsettling, most ground-nesting bees are gentle, temporary, and helpful to the environment.

The most important step is identification. Solitary ground bees usually need patience and minor habitat changes, while yellowjackets and other ground-nesting wasps may require caution and professional help.

If the nest is out of the way, consider leaving it alone. Those small holes in the ground may belong to some of your garden’s most valuable pollinators.