When homeowners see yellow and black bugs fly out of the ground, they often assume that they are wasps or yellow jackets. But, they could be ground bees. Ground bees are a mostly solitary type of bee that lives in small holes in the ground. They are much less aggressive than wasps, and far less harmful to your property than carpenter bees. Below, we will discuss ground bees, their differences from other species, and what to do if you see them on your property.
Ground Bees in New York and New Jersey
Most ground bees in our area live solitarily. A nest will often consist of a female and maybe some young, or a solitary male. The most common ground bees in NY and NJ are digger bees and miner bees. Neither species are particularly aggressive, either.
Most ground bees prefer dry, bare soil. They may also live in root balls of uprooted trees and shrubs. A healthy lawn may not be a great habitat for them. Overall, you generally don’t have to worry about ground bees unless someone in your home is allergic to bees or if you have a more thorough infestation.
Ground Bees or Wasps
While some wasps and yellow jackets live in the ground, they are colony-dwelling bugs. They are also quite aggressive. Ground bees are smaller, fuzzier, and tend to live alone or with their young. Because of this, wasps and yellow jackets are often a lot more noticeable to humans.
Ground Bees are Important to the Ecosystem
Like most bee species, ground bees play a vital role as pollinators. They are an important part of the ecosystem. If you have a small ground bee nest on your property, there is likely no cause for concern, especially if no one in your home is allergic to bees.
Ground Bee Infestations
While a single nest, or even a few, may not be a cause for concern, some areas can become infested with ground bees. This may happen if the soil is particularly dry and exposed over a long period of time. Deep dirt patches, or even old, undisturbed sandboxes, may be attractive to ground bees as a potential home. If there is a high number of ground bees on your property, you may need to call a pest control specialist.
Recon Pest Control is fully licensed, insured, and certified for pest removal services in New York and New Jersey. Our team has over a decade of experience in pest and wildlife removal. We use treatments that are kid and pet-safe to ensure that we do everything we can to protect your family every step of the way. Contact us today for your pest or wildlife removal needs.
