Many people commonly associate all bees with ground nests, often mistaking the activity of various bee species for that of honey bees. While seeing insects emerge from the soil might suggest honey bee presence, honey bees (Apis mellifera) typically do not nest in the ground. This widespread confusion arises because numerous other bee types do build their homes underground.
Honey Bee Nesting Habits
Honey bees are cavity-nesters, seeking enclosed spaces to establish their colonies. Their preferred natural nesting sites include hollow trees, rock crevices, and human-made structures such as wall voids, attics, or chimneys. These locations offer the protection and stable temperatures necessary for their survival. Honey bees construct hexagonal wax combs within these sheltered areas to store honey and pollen, and to rear their young.
Honey bees generally avoid nesting in open ground due to several factors. Dirt can introduce contamination, posing a risk to their honey stores. Ground moisture can also compromise the structural integrity of their wax combs, potentially leading to hive collapse. Their need for a defensible, enclosed space with consistent temperatures makes above-ground cavities more suitable for their social colonies.
Common Ground-Nesting Bees
Many different bee species, unlike honey bees, predominantly nest in the ground. Approximately 70% of all bee species worldwide are ground-nesting bees. Common examples include mining bees (Andrena species), sweat bees (Halictidae family), and digger bees (Anthophorini tribe). These bees often create burrows in areas with exposed soil, sparse vegetation, or well-drained ground.
Ground-nesting bees typically excavate individual tunnels in the soil, often marked by small mounds of excavated dirt at the entrance, resembling miniature volcanoes. While many ground-nesting bees are solitary, some species may form aggregations where multiple individual nests are built close together.
Telling the Difference
Distinguishing honey bees from ground-nesting bees involves observing their appearance, nest structure, and behavior. Honey bees typically have fuzzy, yellowish-brown bodies with distinct black stripes. Ground-nesting bees vary widely in appearance; some are less fuzzy, while others might exhibit metallic green, blue, or darker coloration.
Their nests also differ. Honey bee nests consist of large, complex wax combs found within enclosed cavities. Ground-nesting bees create simple burrows in the soil, often with a small dirt mound or a distinct hole at the entrance, typically about 1/4 inch in diameter. Behaviorally, honey bees are highly social insects living in large colonies with a queen, workers, and drones. Most ground-nesting bees are solitary. Importantly, most ground-nesting bees are not aggressive and will only sting if directly provoked or handled.