Identify/Eliminate Insects: "Ground Bees," "Yellow Jackets," or Other - Ask Extension
After dethatching my lawn, I have noticed two areas that have small flying insects we have not experienced before. The areas are roughly 200-300 squar...
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Identify/Eliminate Insects: "Ground Bees," "Yellow Jackets," or Other #825449
Asked April 13, 2023, 11:53 AM EDT
After dethatching my lawn, I have noticed two areas that have small flying insects we have not experienced before. The areas are roughly 200-300 square feet each.
The bugs are small/infant-like versions of honey bees, ground bees, wasps or other maybe? They dart in a sort of back and forth motion flying about 6"-8" above the lawn. They are dark-ish brown, with thin bands of yellow across their bodies. We do not want our two dogs to be stung, nor do we want to harm "helpful pollinators."
Background:
I dethatched the lawn a day before and applied Scott's EZ Seed in spots where the dogs have urinated. I also applied another Scott's product called Thick'R Lawn.
Can you identify them, provide a solution to rid our yard of these?
Thanks.
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
Based on what I see in your images - this looks like the bee described in the article below - This is not a ground-nesting yellowjacket!!
Check out this information: From the article - Solitary bees in yards a temporary nuisance - Howard Russell, Michigan State University Diagnostic Services, Department of Plants, Soil and Microbial Sciences - April 21, 2017 - Ground nesting, solitary bees are important early-season pollinators. Only use cultural control methods to control them. At this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/solitary_bees_in_yards#:~:text=MSU%20Extension%20suggests%20the%20best%20method%20is%20to,nest-building%20period%20may%20also%20help%20discourage%20nesting%20behavior.
(If you click on the above link - it will show what I am stating below and will have images!!)
Here are some excerpts from this article:
Solitary bees begin to appear during the first warm days of spring. The adults are only active for a few weeks, so they are a temporary nuisance. Some people may feel the urge to kill them off with insecticide—please don’t. They are important early-season pollinators. They are not aggressive; they rarely sting, and their venom is weak.
Most ground-nesting bees belong to the families Colletidae, Andrenidae, Megachilidae, and Halictidae and are commonly referred to as mining bees, cellophane bees, digger bees, plasterer bees, sweat bees, leafcutter bees, and mason bees. The most common early-season species in the Midwest are Andrena spp. and Colletes spp. Both genera are important pollinators of spring crops like apples, blueberries, and cherries. Solitary bees range in size from 0.5-0.75 inches and may be a variety of colors such as blue, green, copper, or metallic red.
Don’t confuse solitary bees with ground-nesting yellow jackets (Vespidae). Each female solitary bee constructs her own individual nest tubes, each with its own opening. Ground-nesting yellowjackets, on the other hand, are social insects, and a colony of several hundred wasps typically uses a single hole to enter and exit the nest. Solitary bees are gentle, well-meaning pollinators. Yellowjackets are jerks that aggressively defend their nests and readily sting. And as many of us know, yellowjacket stings are quite painful.
Female solitary bees excavate nesting tubes during the evening hours. The tubes reach six or more inches in depth. Small mounds of excavated soil may appear around each nest opening. They often nest in large congregations with many nesting holes arranged very closely together. During the day, the active females collect pollen and nectar to carry back to the nest. A single egg is laid upon the pollen ball in March, April, or early May. After hatching, the larva feeds on the pollen and develops within the tube until it reaches adulthood in the fall. The new adult remains in the burrow throughout winter until emergence from the ground in March or April. At this time, mating takes place, and bee activity begins to pick up as the nesting cycle resumes. Most activity at nest sites in early spring are males looking to mate. Male bees cannot sting.
Ground nesting bees prefer nesting in areas with morning sun exposure and well-drained soils containing little organic matter. Tunnels are excavated in areas of bare ground or sparse vegetation. Damp soils are avoided.
Damage to lawns and turf is usually minimal, and control is often sought because bees are perceived as a danger or annoyance. Solitary bees rarely sting, and there is no mass attack as might be found with honeybees and yellow jackets. Outdoor activities, including lawn mowing, can often be continued with no problem. However, with very large aggregations, you may prefer to avoid the area for four to six weeks while the nesting is taking place.
Controlling solitary bees in yards should only include cultural control methods. MSU Extension suggests the best method is to establish dense turf in the area in the bee's favor. Heavy watering or irrigation with a lawn sprinkler during the nest-building period may also help discourage nesting behavior. If the soil or location is not conducive to a healthy, dense lawn, then using ground covers or heavy mulches may be an alternative solution. Mulches may be used on bare patches caused by heavy traffic where grass will not grow.
IF YOU WANT A CONFIRMED IDENTIFICATION OF THE BEE - from the MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostics Lab on the MSU campus. (Howard Russell - Insect / Arthropod Diagnostician - <personal data hidden> <personal data hidden>)
Please email your digital images prior to bringing or sending physical samples. Images can be sent to: <personal data hidden>.
MAKE SURE IN THAT E-MAIL YOU INCLUDE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER!!
He should be able to diagnose and ID your problem without seeing a sample. BE PREPARED THAT HE MAY NEED MORE IMAGES. That is why the more images, the better - The images need to be clear and not fuzzy
THE LAB WILL LET YOU KNOW IF A SAMPLE NEEDS TO BE SENT - There is a $20-25 dollar fee (if they need a sample sent).
PLEASE READ BELOW TO PREPARE YOUR SAMPLE
From the lab: Please do not ship samples on Fridays. They thank you for your patience and understanding.
Every sample must be accompanied by a completed submission form. Please place the form in a separate resealable bag to prevent it from getting damp or soiled. The form is at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/uploads/files/General_Sample_Submission_Form_May2022.pdf
Complete details of submitting a sample are at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/submit-samples/
Check out this link:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/submit-samples/#Insect/Arthropod
Ship/Deliver Samples Directly at:
MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics
578 Wilson Road, CIPS 107
East Lansing, MI 48824
MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics Contact information is:
Lab email: <personal data hidden>
Lab phone:<personal data hidden>
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Hope this helps!!
Based on what I see in your images - this looks like the bee described in the article below - This is not a ground-nesting yellowjacket!!
Check out this information: From the article - Solitary bees in yards a temporary nuisance - Howard Russell, Michigan State University Diagnostic Services, Department of Plants, Soil and Microbial Sciences - April 21, 2017 - Ground nesting, solitary bees are important early-season pollinators. Only use cultural control methods to control them. At this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/solitary_bees_in_yards#:~:text=MSU%20Extension%20suggests%20the%20best%20method%20is%20to,nest-building%20period%20may%20also%20help%20discourage%20nesting%20behavior.
(If you click on the above link - it will show what I am stating below and will have images!!)
Here are some excerpts from this article:
Solitary bees begin to appear during the first warm days of spring. The adults are only active for a few weeks, so they are a temporary nuisance. Some people may feel the urge to kill them off with insecticide—please don’t. They are important early-season pollinators. They are not aggressive; they rarely sting, and their venom is weak.
Most ground-nesting bees belong to the families Colletidae, Andrenidae, Megachilidae, and Halictidae and are commonly referred to as mining bees, cellophane bees, digger bees, plasterer bees, sweat bees, leafcutter bees, and mason bees. The most common early-season species in the Midwest are Andrena spp. and Colletes spp. Both genera are important pollinators of spring crops like apples, blueberries, and cherries. Solitary bees range in size from 0.5-0.75 inches and may be a variety of colors such as blue, green, copper, or metallic red.
Don’t confuse solitary bees with ground-nesting yellow jackets (Vespidae). Each female solitary bee constructs her own individual nest tubes, each with its own opening. Ground-nesting yellowjackets, on the other hand, are social insects, and a colony of several hundred wasps typically uses a single hole to enter and exit the nest. Solitary bees are gentle, well-meaning pollinators. Yellowjackets are jerks that aggressively defend their nests and readily sting. And as many of us know, yellowjacket stings are quite painful.
Female solitary bees excavate nesting tubes during the evening hours. The tubes reach six or more inches in depth. Small mounds of excavated soil may appear around each nest opening. They often nest in large congregations with many nesting holes arranged very closely together. During the day, the active females collect pollen and nectar to carry back to the nest. A single egg is laid upon the pollen ball in March, April, or early May. After hatching, the larva feeds on the pollen and develops within the tube until it reaches adulthood in the fall. The new adult remains in the burrow throughout winter until emergence from the ground in March or April. At this time, mating takes place, and bee activity begins to pick up as the nesting cycle resumes. Most activity at nest sites in early spring are males looking to mate. Male bees cannot sting.
Ground nesting bees prefer nesting in areas with morning sun exposure and well-drained soils containing little organic matter. Tunnels are excavated in areas of bare ground or sparse vegetation. Damp soils are avoided.
Damage to lawns and turf is usually minimal, and control is often sought because bees are perceived as a danger or annoyance. Solitary bees rarely sting, and there is no mass attack as might be found with honeybees and yellow jackets. Outdoor activities, including lawn mowing, can often be continued with no problem. However, with very large aggregations, you may prefer to avoid the area for four to six weeks while the nesting is taking place.
Controlling solitary bees in yards should only include cultural control methods. MSU Extension suggests the best method is to establish dense turf in the area in the bee's favor. Heavy watering or irrigation with a lawn sprinkler during the nest-building period may also help discourage nesting behavior. If the soil or location is not conducive to a healthy, dense lawn, then using ground covers or heavy mulches may be an alternative solution. Mulches may be used on bare patches caused by heavy traffic where grass will not grow.
IF YOU WANT A CONFIRMED IDENTIFICATION OF THE BEE - from the MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostics Lab on the MSU campus. (Howard Russell - Insect / Arthropod Diagnostician - <personal data hidden> <personal data hidden>)
Please email your digital images prior to bringing or sending physical samples. Images can be sent to: <personal data hidden>.
MAKE SURE IN THAT E-MAIL YOU INCLUDE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER!!
He should be able to diagnose and ID your problem without seeing a sample. BE PREPARED THAT HE MAY NEED MORE IMAGES. That is why the more images, the better - The images need to be clear and not fuzzy
THE LAB WILL LET YOU KNOW IF A SAMPLE NEEDS TO BE SENT - There is a $20-25 dollar fee (if they need a sample sent).
PLEASE READ BELOW TO PREPARE YOUR SAMPLE
From the lab: Please do not ship samples on Fridays. They thank you for your patience and understanding.
Every sample must be accompanied by a completed submission form. Please place the form in a separate resealable bag to prevent it from getting damp or soiled. The form is at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/uploads/files/General_Sample_Submission_Form_May2022.pdf
Complete details of submitting a sample are at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/submit-samples/
Check out this link:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/submit-samples/#Insect/Arthropod
Ship/Deliver Samples Directly at:
MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics
578 Wilson Road, CIPS 107
East Lansing, MI 48824
MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics Contact information is:
Lab email: <personal data hidden>
Lab phone:<personal data hidden>
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Hope this helps!!
