Andrenid bees are called mining bees. Mining bees have one generation of adults per year in the spring. Each female constructs her own nest without help of other bees. Once this flight of mining bees dies out, there will be no activity in the area until the following spring. It may be possible to step on a mining bee while barefooted and get stung on the foot, but that is about the only hazard from these otherwise beneficial insects.
Mining bees are valuable pollinators of spring crops.
It is better to coexist with the bees because of their value in the pollination of various crops than try to eradicate them with pesticides. Note No. 100 contains more information about a similar spring bee that burrows in turfgrasses from time to time. The information presented in this newsletter is for educational purposes only and represents the opinions of the respective authors. Any reference to trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service is implied. Use pesticides safely.