Mining bees: what do they do?

Mining bees are a type of solitary bee that 'mines' into the ground to make their nest chambers. Examples include ashy mining bee (Andrena cineraria), tawny mining bee (Andrena fulva) and ivy bee (Colletes hederae).

After a busy period of mating and egg-laying, the males and females die and everything goes quiet above ground. Beneath the surface, the eggs hatch into grubs, which eat the store of pollen and nectar the female has left for them. The grubs remain in the nest, where they grow and pupate into an adult bee. They overwinter in their nest, too – either as a grub, pupa or adult – and then emerge a whole year later, exactly the same time of year they started life as eggs.

How to identify mining bees

Mining bees nest in the ground, either individually or in large aggregations. Large aggregations will be obvious because there will be a lot of bees all buzzing around together – the ivy bee is an example of a mining bee that can nest in large aggregations. Others nest in smaller aggregations or individually in small holes at the edge of a garden border or beneath grass stems. Some leave small mounds of earth that resemble a volcano near the nest hole – if you sit close by for long enough you will see a bee entering or leaving the nest.

To identify mining bees to species, the best thing to do is take a photo of the bee and then compare it with images and other descriptive factors known as 'keys' in an identification guide on British solitary bees. Make sure you get a clear photo with all parts of the bee visible – parts of the body to get a clear image of include the tergites (abdominal sections), scopa (a 'brush' of hairs on the underside of the abdomen or hind legs), face shape and length of antennae. The time of year and location can help you in your search, as different species nest at different times of year and in different locations. And, as a rule of thumb, if you think you've found a rare bee in your garden, you've probably got the wrong ID!

Common types of mining bees

Ashy mining bee (Andrena cineraria)

A black and greyish bee the size of a honey bee. Both sexes have a band of greyish hairs at the top and bottom of the thorax, and a patch of grey hairs on the face. The abdomen is black. Males are smaller than females with less defined grey bands, and additional whitish hairs along the thorax.

Flying from March to June, females collect nectar and pollen from a variety of spring flowers such as apple, pear, cherry, willow, blackthorn, dandelions and buttercups. Females make burrows 10-20cm deep in bare soil, sometimes in small aggregations. Look out for a heap of soil near the burrow entrance.

Tawny mining bee (Andrena fulva)

One of our more distinctive solitary bees, the tawny mining bee is a gingery red (tawny) bee. Females are about the same size as a honeybee and have dense, dark hairs. Males are smaller and have less dense hairs and a white patch on the face. They fly from late March to June and nest in sparsely vegetated ground such as lawns, typically in aggregations. Look out for volcano-like mounds near the entrance hole.

They feed on spring-flowering fruit trees like cherry, pear and apple.

Ivy bee (Colletes hederae)

A recent arrival to the UK, the ivy bee was first recorded in the UK in 2001, and is now found in much of Southern England and Wales, and the Channel Islands. It looks similar to a honey bee but has distinct black and yellow stripes on its abdomen. It flies late, from September to November, and feeds mainly on the nectar of ivy flowers. It nests in large aggregations in light or sandy soil in full sun.

Frequently asked questions

Do mining bees nest in bee hotels?

No. Bee hotels are designed for use by cavity nesting solitary bees, not mining bees. However, you could experiment by making a 'bee bank' using sand, which can encourage mining bees like the ivy bee to start a colony.

Do mining bees mine?

Mining bees burrow into the soil and create tunnels, or chambers, in which they lay eggs. These tunnels can help to aerate the soil and aid drainage.

Do mining bees sting?

Only female bees have a sting. While female mining bees do have a sting, they are much less likely to sting you than bumblebees and honeybees because they don't have a large nest to protect – they just want to get on with laying eggs so it's extremely unlikely they will bother you.

Are mining bees a problem?

Some gardeners would prefer mining bees not to nest in their lawn. However, it's important to remember that bees are an important part of the garden ecosystem and we need them to pollinate our food. Mining bees are usually active for around three weeks of the year, so tolerating them for this short time will be beneficial to your garden and the wider landscape.

How can I get rid of mining bees?

Mining bees really aren't a problem in gardens and should be tolerated for the short time they are nesting. Learning to identify them and getting to know them may actually help you not only tolerate them but also enjoy them, as they and their activities are fascinating to watch and a good marker of the seasons. If you really can't tolerate them in your lawn, the easiest way to stop them nesting is to let the grass grow long during the period when they start to emerge. As they typically prefer short grass, letting it grow long may encourage them to nest elsewhere.

Can I mow the lawn when mining bees are nesting?

Mining bees prefer to nest in short lawns and areas of bare soil, but running a lawn mower over them could harm them so it's best to wait until they have finished. Mining bees are active for only around three weeks, so you won't have to wait long before you can mow your lawn again.