Miner bees?

[Nha Toi]

does anyone have experience with miner bees?  The homeowner called and said she had someone come out to take care of the issue.  He told her they are miner bees.  The bees are still there and bothering people.  She asked if anyone has experience with these bees?  I also asked her to call Vector control just in case the insects bothering other people aren't bees.  Picture of the entrance.

[Deborah Insel]

Good morning,

I don’t have any experience with miner bees, but here is what google says about them (from the University of Maryland  and US Forest Service.)

Mining bees are not aggressive and are considered very docile, harmless pollinators. As solitary, ground-nesting bees, they do not defend a hive, making them unlikely to sting unless directly handled or trapped. While males may buzz around in large numbers, they lack stingers entirely and only behave this way to find mates.

Key Facts About Mining Bees:

• Behavior: They are shy and rarely sting, even if people or pets walk over their nesting sites.
• Appearance: Often mistaken for honey bees or bumble bees, they are small, furry, and often found in lawns with exposed soil
  .
Safety: They pose no danger to humans and are beneficial to gardens, often emerging for only 2–4 weeks in the spring.
Nesting: Though solitary, many females may dig their individual nests in the same area, creating numerous small, volcano-like mounds. 
US Forest Service (.gov) +5

Deb

On Mar 19, 2026, at 6:27 PM, Nha Toi <2nha...@gmail.com> wrote:

does anyone have experience with miner bees?  The homeowner called and said she had someone come out to take care of the issue.  He told her they are miner bees.  The bees are still there and bothering people.  She asked if anyone has experience with these bees?  I also asked her to call Vector control just in case the insects bothering other people aren't bees.  Picture of the entrance.

<Screenshot 2026-03-19 182256.png>

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[Paula Breen]

Yeah, I'd be curious to know what "bothering people" means. Did she give any specifics? 

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[Nha Toi]

They were buzzing around the workers while working in the yard, so the workers (maybe landscapers?) refused to continue.   I did send her the info online, and also Vector.

Just need to see if anyone in our community knows how to handle miner bee issue.