Dug out area around roots, bees or hornets swarming - Ask Extension
Hello,
I have a honeysuckle bush in my yard and yesterday I noticed that something had dug out a sort of trench around the base exposing the roots. I...
Knowledgebase
Dug out area around roots, bees or hornets swarming #941220
Asked August 01, 2026, 1:26 PM EDT
Hello,
I have a honeysuckle bush in my yard and yesterday I noticed that something had dug out a sort of trench around the base exposing the roots. I filled it in with more soil but the trench was back the next day. When getting closer, I saw that smallish bees or hornets were buzzing around the base. My husband went out to water and was stung which makes me think they are hornets. It seems that the digging and the bees are related somehow. Any ideas or suggestions? It’s hard to water as the hose spigot is very near the bees.
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello
It does sound like you have a wasp nest. Here is a bulletin describing and picturing the various nests commonly found in yard and garden.
There are links to how to remove the nest, if your skunk or other wildlife didn’t completely remove it for you.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/bee-wasp-or-hornet-nest-which-one-is-it
Let us know if you have more questions on removing the nest. There are pest services tht cn tret the nest for you, as well. Be careful! And please follow all precautions and directions on any chemical you use.
It does sound like you have a wasp nest. Here is a bulletin describing and picturing the various nests commonly found in yard and garden.
There are links to how to remove the nest, if your skunk or other wildlife didn’t completely remove it for you.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/bee-wasp-or-hornet-nest-which-one-is-it
Let us know if you have more questions on removing the nest. There are pest services tht cn tret the nest for you, as well. Be careful! And please follow all precautions and directions on any chemical you use.
