Mound of dirt inhabited by bees - Ask Extension
We have a small mound of dirt in a back corner of our small suburban yard, collected from holes we've dug to plant perennials, etc. I went to shovel t...
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Mound of dirt inhabited by bees #889298
Asked November 04, 2024, 9:36 AM EST
We have a small mound of dirt in a back corner of our small suburban yard, collected from holes we've dug to plant perennials, etc. I went to shovel this up to refill one of our raised garden beds and discovered it is inhabited by many small bees. They were quick to show their displeasure at this.
What would be a good way of dealing with this? I'd rather not do something to kill them all, if they could be collected and relocated instead that'd be great.
Thank you,
Brian Stamper
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Brian,
What you have are ground bees. They are solitary creatures who burrow in the ground and lay eggs in the tunnels. They will also overwinter there. It may look like you have a colony, but you don’t. They are independent bees.
Since you don’t want to hurt them, my best advice would to just let them be (no pun intended ). Next spring you can put sod or seed on that pile of soil or mulch over it to deter them. They do not like thick grass or thick mulch. Your soil pile provided the perfect home. Buy some good top soil and use that to plant your perennials and fill your raised bed. Don’t forget to mulch those areas too, or you will be providing another good home. The mulch will also act as a blanket for the newly planted perennials .
Here are some fact sheets for you if you want to read more about ground bees:
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/696
https://thebeeconservancy.org/ground-nesting-bees/
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-2143-10
Hope this helps!
What you have are ground bees. They are solitary creatures who burrow in the ground and lay eggs in the tunnels. They will also overwinter there. It may look like you have a colony, but you don’t. They are independent bees.
Since you don’t want to hurt them, my best advice would to just let them be (no pun intended ). Next spring you can put sod or seed on that pile of soil or mulch over it to deter them. They do not like thick grass or thick mulch. Your soil pile provided the perfect home. Buy some good top soil and use that to plant your perennials and fill your raised bed. Don’t forget to mulch those areas too, or you will be providing another good home. The mulch will also act as a blanket for the newly planted perennials .
Here are some fact sheets for you if you want to read more about ground bees:
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/696
https://thebeeconservancy.org/ground-nesting-bees/
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-2143-10
Hope this helps!
