Small garden bees or flys - Ask Extension
D0 you know what this bug is in this photo? I have a hundreds of them flying close to the ground in my front flower bed.
Knowledgebase
Small garden bees or flys #929627
Asked April 25, 2026, 5:27 PM EDT
D0 you know what this bug is in this photo? I have a hundreds of them flying close to the ground in my front flower bed.
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Jeff,
That looks like one of our native bees. In the close-up photo, you can see its antennae. Fly antennae would be shorter than that.
About 70% of our native bee species dig nests in the ground and they typically prefer to nest in areas with bare soil like your flower bed. Looks like you are providing great habitat! Do you also see these bees visiting the flowers nearby?
Luckily, native bees can sting defensively if given no other choice, but they are even less inclined to sting than honeybees. So even with a large number of bees in the area, there is almost no risk of stings.
Enjoy!
That looks like one of our native bees. In the close-up photo, you can see its antennae. Fly antennae would be shorter than that.
About 70% of our native bee species dig nests in the ground and they typically prefer to nest in areas with bare soil like your flower bed. Looks like you are providing great habitat! Do you also see these bees visiting the flowers nearby?
Luckily, native bees can sting defensively if given no other choice, but they are even less inclined to sting than honeybees. So even with a large number of bees in the area, there is almost no risk of stings.
Enjoy!
