You don’t have to go far to find wild bees—just know where to look.
Wild bees are out there, quietly keeping our gardens, parks, and ecosystems thriving. But unlike honey bees, many native bees are solitary and easy to miss. So where should you look if you want to find them?
Start small.
Wild bees often make their homes in the overlooked spaces around us—hollow stems, patches of bare soil, old wood, or piles of fallen leaves. A sunny corner with native blooms can become a bustling pollinator hotspot if the habitat is right.
Unfortunately, much of this natural habitat has disappeared due to development, pesticides, and overly manicured lawns. That’s where rewilding comes in. Rewilding is about giving space back to nature—planting native flowers, leaving nesting spots undisturbed, and creating conditions where wild bees can thrive.
Native Flowers and Blooming Gardens
If you’ve got flowers blooming, you’ve probably got bees—especially if you’re growing a few native plants. What counts as “native” depends on where you live, so your best bet is to ask a local nursery or check in with a Wild Ones chapter near you.
Hollow Stems, Stumps, and Deadwood
This is where wild bees used to nest—tucked inside the stems of last year’s flowers, old stumps, and bits of dead wood. But as more yards get cleared and more land develops, those quiet little nesting spots are disappearing.
If you’ve got plant stalks you haven’t cut down yet or a log in the corner of the yard, take a look. Tiny round holes or a sprinkle of sawdust might mean a bee has moved in. Leaving these materials in place, especially over winter, gives wild bees a chance to rest, nest, and return next season.
Bare Ground and Sandy Patches
Not all bees live in hives. Most wild bees nest underground. They dig small tunnels in dry, sunny patches of soil—especially areas that stay undisturbed. But as we cover more ground with lawns, gravel, mulch, or pavement, those nesting spots are getting harder to find.
If you have a bit of bare earth—or a quiet corner of the yard that stays sunny—look closely. Tiny holes in the soil might be a sign of bee activity. Sit still and watch. You may see a bee flying low over the ground, entering or leaving a nest, or carrying pollen.
Bee Houses, Bricks, and Backyard Real Estate
Some wild bees will nest in cracks in bricks or stone walls. Others take to hollow plant stems—or bee houses, if they’re built right.
Unfortunately, many store-bought bee houses look helpful but can harm the bees they’re meant to support. Things like glued bamboo, plastic tubes, or houses that can’t be cleaned or opened often lead to mold, parasites, or dead-end nests.
If you’re using a bee house or thinking about putting one up, it’s worth a quick check.
- Is Your Bee House Safe? (podcast episode of The Buzz on Bees)
- Harmful Nesting Materials: Why Bamboo, Plastic, and Drilled Wood Blocks Hurt Bees (article)
Look for breathable, natural materials—like lakebed reeds or wood trays that can be taken apart, cleaned, and reused. It makes all the difference for bee health.
Want to know who’s buzzing nearby? Use our free, zip code–based tool Where the Wild Bees Are (no app required). It shows which native bees and beneficial wasps have been observed in your area in real time, helping you see what’s already there—and what might be missing.
Rewild your space, and you’ll not only create a welcoming home for wild bees—you’ll make your yard a vital piece of a larger, thriving ecosystem. Learn how to rewild your yard.
Support the bees you find with bee-safe tools and habitat kits.