Q: Why are bees in my vegetable garden? They appear to be digging in the soil. Makes it impossible to get veggies.
A: Many species of solitary bees make their homes in the soil. A group called digger bees or Anthophora (meaning “flower bearer”) are extremely common and they sometimes nest in large numbers like a community of single-family homes. Your garden is likely a good spot, according to the bees. They are not typically aggressive should you want to work around them. If you want to discourage them from nesting there, one thing you can try is using an overhead sprinkler in the area where they are nesting. Digger bees will often seek a new habitat if there is regular water raining down on their holes. Since these are also some of our native pollinators, it is good to keep them alive and nearby, if not in your garden.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed to tucsongardensage@gmail.com
