.png)
Dig This: How to Make a Ground Bee Haven in Your Las Vegas Backyard
- Pete Rizzo
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
How to Turn a Sunny Patch of Dirt into a Desert Oasis for Las Vegas’s Gentle Native Pollinators
We all know the importance of planting flowers and offering fresh water for bees, especially in our scorching Las Vegas summers. But here's something just as important and often overlooked: a safe place for native bees to call home.
While honeybees live in hives, the vast majority of the world’s 20,000+ bee species are solitary. Many of them are ground nesters—tiny architects that dig tunnels into bare earth to raise their young.
With development eating up natural spaces, ground-nesting bees are running out of real estate. Let’s change that.
Our guide shows how easy it is to create a haven for native ground-nesting bees in your own backyard. Even a small patch of bare earth can make a world of difference.
Why Ground Nesting Bees Matter
These bees are also important pollinators. They often specialize in native plants, helping preserve biodiversity that honeybees may miss. Plus, they’re:
Solo Artists – No queen, no workers. Each female digs her own nest and raises her brood solo.
Super Gentle – With no hive to defend, they rarely sting unless handled or stepped on.
Soil Seekers – They need direct access to soil—not lawn, mulch, or rock.
Urban landscaping practices—like mulch, artificial turf, or concrete—are wiping out their nesting opportunities. That’s where we come in.
How to Spot a Ground Bee Nest
Look for small holes in bare soil, each with a tiny volcano-like mound of dirt around it. You might see bees flying low or popping in and out. Nests may be clustered, but each hole belongs to a single bee.
Step-by-Step: Create a Ground Bee Sanctuary
1. Pick the Right Spot
Full Sun – Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Good Drainage – Avoid soggy areas. A gentle slope helps.
Low Traffic – Choose a quiet corner, away from kids, pets, and footpaths.
Bare Soil – No grass, mulch, or weed barriers.
2. Prep the Soil
Clear It Out – Remove mulch, weeds, groundcover, and any grass. Dig down a few inches to eliminate root systems.
Patch Size – A 2x2 or 3x3-foot area is enough to get started. Bigger is better.
Loosen It Up – If your soil is rock-hard (hello, Vegas caliche), loosen the top 6–8 inches.
Adjust Texture – Mix 1/3 sand, 1/3 compost, and 1/3 native soil to improve drainage and workability.
Leave It Naked – No mulch or gravel. Bees need direct soil contact.
3. Add Natural Touches
Add small mounds or slopes for varied microhabitats.
Place rocks or untreated logs to give bees sunning spots and edge habitat.
Try different soil textures (a patch of sand here, some pebbles there) to appeal to more species.
4. Make It Bee-Friendly All Around
Plant Native Flowers Nearby – Think desert marigold, globemallow, brittlebush—drought-tolerant and full of nectar.
Offer Clean Water – A shallow dish with pebbles gives bees a safe place to sip.
Keep It Bee-Ready and Give Them Their Privacy
Once you build it, mostly leave it alone:
Don’t Mulch or Mow – Keep it bare.
Don’t Till – Disturbing the soil kills the eggs and larvae.
Don’t Overwater – Bees like dry soil.
Hand Weed Gently – Pull weeds by hand and skip herbicides.
Watch quietly and you’ll see bees at work. It’s peaceful, fascinating, and incredibly rewarding.
Are Ground Bees Dangerous?
Nope. These solitary bees are not aggressive. They don’t have a hive to defend. They’ll only sting if squashed—and even then, it’s milder than a honeybee sting.
Teach your family to respect the space. No digging, no stomping. Just admiration from a distance.
One Patch, Big Impact
A few square feet of bare earth in your yard can provide shelter to pollinators struggling to survive in the modern world. Pair that with local flowering plants and clean water, and you’ve created a miniature ecosystem that supports biodiversity—and makes your garden come alive.
So go outside, find that sunny spot, and start digging. Your desert bees will thank you.
Betsy and Pete
Las Vegas, Nevada
About Us: The Authors
We're Betsy and Pete, passionate Las Vegas beekeepers trained by a master in the field. With hundreds of successful bee and bee swarm removals under our belts, we're not just experts; we're enthusiasts committed to the well-being of these incredible pollinators.
We manage dozens of beehives, both natural and honey-bearing at our Joshua Tree Preserve.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Education is an ongoing journey, especially in a dynamic field such as beekeeping. That's why we continually update our knowledge base, collaborate with other experts, and stay up to date with the latest advancements in bee control methods and beekeeping practices.
We also provide top-tier beekeeping supplies, offering everything a beekeeper needs, from beginners to experts.
