Over the past few weeks, Pestech of Greenville, Inc. has noticed an increase in calls for miner bee infestations on properties in Eastern North Carolina. Miner bees, also known as digger bees, are small to medium in size. According to the U.S. Forest Service, miner bees have a stout, furry body. They are often mistaken for bumble bees, also being black and yellow summertime bees. Fortunately, miner bees aren’t an aggressive species and aren’t likely to sting unless threatened. Miner bees are solitary, which means they aren’t part of a colony and don’t have a queen. They are part of the 70% of all the 20,000 species of bees that nest underground in burrows. The female miner bees are known to dig a vertical tunnel through the soil and creates small chambers. They will then lay eggs, which turn into a larva, and then develop into a pupa. Once adults, the miner bees are typically only active a couple months out of the year. Researchers have put a lot of time into studying miner bees due to their nesting behavior. Since these bees are ground nesters, they like to burrow in well-drained soils like clay. Due to that preference, they are often found in banks, hills, and road cut-outs. The U.S. Forest Service adds that they’ve also been found burrowing between stones of old buildings and between logs in cabins or barns. This species can quickly take up a large majority of a yard or property, which is why they are often considered a nuisance due to their nesting habits. They are also known to nest in the same location for several years.
Your East Coast exterminating professionals know how to properly treat your yard for this type of ground bee. Our technicians are knowledgeable about their complex nesting and burrowing habits and will service your property while keeping you, your family, and our environment safe. If you’ve noticed an infestation of miner bees this year, call Pestech of Greenville at 252-353-4760 or click here. Comments are closed.
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