In NC there are many species of native bees. Throughout the state ground-nesting bees are active during warm parts of the year. However, in March we often see holes and mounds of soil in our hard and question what is causing this. Well, what we are seeing is hundreds of bees emerging from the ground after developing as larvae the year before. This especially occurs in bare areas in our lawn. When really active, you may see bees flying around the area. The bees will mate and the industrious females collect pollen to provision cells in the ground where the eggs will be laid.

There is no need to fear these bees. These bees are solitary and are not aggressive. They do not like to sting in fact, they are more scared of you than anything. These bees are native and are wonderful pollinators for spring flowers. These bees are only active for a few weeks and then the adults die leaving their larvae to develop underground.

If these bees concern you then growing a dense vegetation such as grass will discourage these bees from nesting in your lawn. If you do have them then damage to lawns is usually minimal and control is rarely necessary unless they are numerous and perceived as a danger or annoyance.