Ground bees (also called digger or mining bees) are eaten by birds, spiders, robber flies, beewolf wasps, skunks, badgers and other insect-eating animals. They are gentle, important pollinators, so most of the time the best choice is to leave them alone.
Predators of Ground-Nesting Bees
- Birds. Insect-eating birds such as flycatchers, swallows, shrikes and some woodpeckers catch adult bees in flight.
- Spiders and ambush bugs. Web builders and ambush predators catch foraging bees on flowers.
- Robber flies and dragonflies. Fast aerial hunters that grab bees on the wing.
- Beewolves and other wasps. Some solitary wasps hunt bees and carry them to their own nests.
- Mammals. Skunks, badgers, raccoons and bears may dig into nests for larvae and pollen.
- Parasites. Cuckoo bees and certain flies lay eggs in the nests, harming the young.
Why You May Want to Keep Them
Ground bees nest in small holes in bare, sunny soil in spring, and each female digs her own burrow. They rarely sting and are not aggressive. Their nest holes aerate soil, and they pollinate spring crops and wildflowers. Activity usually ends within a few weeks.
If They Bother You
- Wait. The nesting season is short and the bees disappear on their own.
- Water the area lightly and often, or cover bare soil with mulch or thick turf to make it less appealing next year.
- Keep children and pets away from the nest area for a few weeks.
- Avoid pesticides, which harm many beneficial insects and can contaminate soil.
When to Call a Professional
If you are unsure whether the insects are ground bees or aggressive ground-nesting wasps or yellowjackets, ask a local extension office or pest professional to identify them before taking any action.
Related reading on bees: our guide to bee feeder types for beekeepers.
Bottom Line
Birds, spiders, robber flies, wasps and a few mammals eat ground bees. Because the bees are harmless pollinators, leave them be, and make the area less attractive only if you must.
