Many animals dig up ground bees, but the most common are:
Mammals
- Badgers: Expert diggers that specifically target ground bee nests for larvae.
- Skunks: Enjoy the larvae and adults.
- Bears: Opportunistic feeders that will dig up nests if found.
- Raccoons: Opportunistic feeders that may dig for bee nests.
- Foxes: May dig up nests if they find them.
- Rodents: Squirrels, chipmunks, and others may dig up nests to access larvae.
Birds
- Birds of prey: Hawks and owls dig up nests to access larvae and adults.
- Roadrunners: Known to eat ground bees and dig up nests to find them.
Other
- Ants: Certain species prey on ground bee larvae and adults.
- Wasps: Some parasitic wasps lay eggs in ground bee nests, destroying the colony.
While these animals may dig up ground bee nests, they are part of the ecosystem and play important roles in maintaining balance.