Mining Bees

Mining bees produce small conical mounds of earth at the tunnel entrances as they construct their underground nest. Damage is normally very minimal and action is rarely required.

Mining bees are generally harmless as they do not produce a sting unlike other types of bees. Mining bees are solitary creatures and make their nests under the lawn or pathway and their only crime is that they produce small mounds of heaped soil (usually on light sandy soils). The small conical heaps can look very similar to ant hills, but the mounds constructed by mining bees have a small crater on top.

Control is rarely necessary as the heaps are very small and can be quickly scattered with a brush or similar before mowing the lawn. Insecticides are available for control , however action is very rarely needed and justified.