Miner bees, also known as native bees or pollen bees, halactid bees and solitary andrenid bees are common ground-nesting bees. There are over 25,000 species of wild bees in the world - 3,500 in North America alone. They are important pollinators of native plants visiting approximately 5 to 10 plants per minute. They usually nest in sun-exposed, dry areas of yards. Although there is just one bee per nest, many of these bees typically nest close to each other. They are usually most conspicuous to the public during spring. Although many ground-nesting bees may be found flying around their nests in the spring, they are gentle and very rarely sting people. Sprinkling the area of their nests with water may be enough to encourage them to move as they avoid damp areas.

Wild bees are small to medium in size and can come in a range of colours from metallic to red, blue, green, copper or black. They have no distinctive markings and are approximately 8.5mm to 17mm in length.

Several of species of these bees build their nest directly in the soil, making mounds of dirt 1.5 to 6mm wide and .25 to 1.5cm high and are commonly found in soils that have sparse to moderate plant growth, little organic matter, with good drainage. These bees are beneficial insects, feeding on the nectar of many plants, gathering pollen for larvae to feed upon and pollinate fruit and vegetable crops as the go along. Many exterminate these bees because they thing they will be stung but Wild bees seldom sting unless they are stepped on or squeezed.

These bees overwinter in the burrows as adults emerging by early April and digging new burrows. Burrows are vertical shats 8 to 15cm deep with several side tunnels of varying sizes depending on bee species. Soil nesting bees are not social, meaning, each female makes her own nest, provides food and lays eggs. They have no worker caste. The bees are social often nesting close together but have no nest guarding instinct.

Wild bees begin flying in early spring. Mating begins soon after with females storing pollen in burrows. She makes sure each cell in the burrow has a pollen ball 3 to 5mm in diameter, the females then deposit an egg in each pollen ball. Eggs will hatch in early May. Throughout summer, larvae feed and develo within the burrows. Pupation occurs usually in August. Some species develop in fall but remain in burrows to overwinter. Others overwinter as larvae. A single generation is completed each year.

High Temperature:
Actual: 19°C sun and cloud Wind W20km/h P.O.P.24%
Average: 26°C
Record: 35°C in 2007

Low Temperature:
Actual: 12°C clear to partly cloudy Wind W12km/h P.O.P.20%
Average: 14°C
Record: 8°C in 1947