Bees are a huge part of our ecosystem, helping everything from native wildflowers to commercial crops like squash and blueberries thrive. But as you’ve likely noticed, they come in many shapes, sizes, and behaviors.
Michigan is home to over 450 species of bees, many of which are solitary pollinators, each helping local plants thrive in their own way.
In this article, we’ll walk you through five common types of bees of Michigan, some that are essential to keep around and others that might require attention if they move too close for comfort.
Key Takeaways
- Michigan has five common bees that include honey bees, bumble bees, carpenter bees, sweat bees, and leafcutter bees.
- Some bees help flowers and crops grow while others, like carpenter bees, may damage wood around your home.
- Other wild bees like miner, masked, and cuckoo bees are helpful, but yellowjackets and hornets can be dangerous.
- Local pest control companies can identify the pest, remove nests, and safely relocate honey bees with help from beekeepers.
1. Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)
Honey bees are not native to North America, but they’ve become one of the most common bees in Michigan due to their importance in agriculture. These social insects build large colonies, often managed by a beekeeper.
If you’ve ever enjoyed a Michigan apple or blueberry, there’s a good chance they played a part in the pollination.
They have golden-yellow bodies with black bands and hairy antennae.
While honey bees can only sting once, they rarely do unless provoked. They’re known for building intricate bee nests in cavities and wall voids.
If that happens inside your home, we may refer you to a qualified local beekeeper for relocation.
2. Bumble Bees (Bombus impatiens)
One of the most important native pollinators in Michigan is the bumble bee.
These fuzzy, black-and-yellow bees are vital for pollinating native plants and crops like tomatoes and peppers, thanks to their ability to “buzz pollinate,” a method where the bee vibrates flowers to release pollen, especially helpful for tomatoes.
Bumble bees nest underground in abandoned rodent burrows or grassy patches, making them ground-nesting bees.
While they are a key part of the native bee population and rarely aggressive, you might run into problems if a nest ends up near high-traffic areas like your deck or playground.
And yes, they can sting more than once if threatened.
3. Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa virginica)
Carpenter bees are solitary bees that bore into untreated wood to lay their eggs. If you’re noticing perfectly round holes in your siding, trim, or deck, you could be dealing with this species.
While the females can sting, they usually only do so when handled. The males, which hover aggressively near nests, don’t have stingers at all.
Unlike bumble bees, they don’t live in colonies but are known to tunnel near each other in structural wood. Over time, this can result in real damage, especially if you’ve got multiple generations of larvae developing in the same spot.
We regularly treat for carpenter bees when they become a structural issue.
4. Sweat Bees (Family: Halictidae)
Sweat bees are some of the most diverse native bees in Michigan, with genera like Lasioglossum, Halictus, and Agapostemon.
These small bees are attracted to human sweat. Hence the name, and they are often spotted during early spring and summer.
Most of them are solitary and nest in the ground. They’re important pollinators of wildflowers, flowering plants, and garden crops.
Some, like green sweat bees, are metallic green, while others are more muted. They rarely sting unless trapped and are a sign of a healthy local ecosystem.
5. Leafcutter Bees (Megachile spp.)
You may not see leafcutter bees themselves, but you’ve probably seen their handiwork, perfectly round cutouts from the leaves of roses, lilacs, or hostas.
These bees use leaf fragments to line their nests, which they build in hollow stems, wood cavities, or even behind siding.
Leafcutter bees belong to a larger group of mason bees and other solitary pollinators. They help pollinate many Michigan flowering plants, especially native species.
While harmless and non-aggressive, they can occasionally take up residence too close to your home for comfort.
What About the Other Bees?
Michigan’s landscape supports a wide range of native bees that don’t always get the spotlight, but still play important roles. These include:
- Long-horned bees (Melissodes) – Recognizable by their extra-long antennae, they are common pollinators of sunflowers and squash plants.
- Masked bees (Hylaeus) – Tiny and black with white markings, they often go unnoticed but are busy pollinating native plants.
- Miner bees (Andrena) – These early spring visitors are ground-nesting bees that often resemble honey bees in shape and size.
- Carder bees (Anthidium) – These bees collect plant fuzz to line their nests and are often seen hovering near lamb’s ear and similar plants.
- Cuckoo bees – These bees don’t build their nests, instead, they lay their eggs in the nests of other solitary bees like Andrena or Halictus.
Don’t Let the Wrong Bees Settle In Your Michigan Home
While many of these solitary bees are beneficial, some bee look-alikes, such as yellowjackets and hornets, can pose a risk to your home or safety.
At Pest Pros of Michigan, we specialize in identifying all kinds of bee and wasp activity.
Whether it’s the rusty-patched bumble bee or a ground-nesting hornet colony, our licensed technicians will provide a thorough evaluation and treatment plan. We can remove nests in eaves up to 25 feet high and treat wall void infestations with care.
If honey bees are involved, we work with local beekeepers to ensure safe relocation whenever possible.
Are bees too close for comfort? We’ll help you identify what’s buzzing and handle it with care.
