What should I do about burrowing pests?
QCould you please tell me what these burrowing insects are that I have in my lawn? They are turning the grass into a sandy desert full of holes. Are they harmful to the garden and how can I eradicate them?
Guy Watson, Bognor Regis, W. Sussex
AThe bees in question, spoiling your lawn, are a mining species (Andrena). There are 20 or more kinds. Yours could be A. dorsata. Widespread in Britain, there are two generations: March to May and July to October.
Whichever species it is, it is a good pollinator and should not be harmed. We are losing huge numbers of bees, which are vital for ensuring that apples and other fruits, and many other crops, grow well and feed us. So even though your lawn is suffering, I urge you to tolerate this problem and allow them the freedom of your grass.