Tree Bumblebees in Nest Box (1 Viewer)

[Peugeot]

I've got a Tree Bumblebee nest in my garden nestbox, (which I'm delighted about B ), but when the bee nesting season ends, could anyone advise me, as to whether I should remove the old bees nest, or leave it, so that it can be used again next year?

For me,....leaving it, would be the best option, because I already have other nest boxes situated around the house and garden, and I would love to have the bees returning to the box annually. :t:

 

[King Edward]

I'd leave it. We had Tree Bumblebees in one of our Swift boxes last year - this year Great Tits nested successfully in the same box, and now a pair of Swifts seem to be moving straight in (the same days the tits fledged). Similarly an old GS Woodpecker hole had Hornets in the following year then Great Tits the year after. There are also various species of invertebrates that breed in old bees nests, and species that eat the wax etc so the nest will decompose over time.

Chances are though that the bees will build a new nest elsewhere - they're not going to want the old one.

 

[Telephoto Paul]

I turned up at my little owl nest box yesterday expecting to find the resident pair I'd last seen on Tuesday but instead was greated by the sight of the box covered in honey bees. The owner of the farm got the local beekeeper to come over. When we investigated, the box was stuffed full bees and two abandoned eggs. He took the colony away, and based on the amount of wax he found he suggested they'd been there a few days.

 

[coaltit]

Tree Bumblebees.

I'd leave it. We had Tree Bumblebees in one of our Swift boxes last year - this year Great Tits nested successfully in the same box, and now a pair of Swifts seem to be moving straight in (the same days the tits fledged). Similarly an old GS Woodpecker hole had Hornets in the following year then Great Tits the year after. There are also various species of invertebrates that breed in old bees nests, and species that eat the wax etc so the nest will decompose over time.

Chances are though that the bees will build a new nest elsewhere - they're not going to want the old one.

Last year and the year before we had tree Bumblebees nest in our plastic garden waste composter I,d never really seen This species before the first time they arrived to nest thou this year they have Not returned back to nest, but the bee,s are around as I,m often releaseing Them out of the conservatory on sunny days.

 

[Peugeot]

The colony in the Nest Box is still going strong,.....and it's great entertainment, watching them,.... in fact, probably more entertaining than having birds nesting in the box.

They've been in residence since March, when I first saw a solitary bee entering the nest hole, (presumably the Queen), and there are now literally scores of them, buzzing around the box all day long.

The box itself, now has yellow smudgeing around the entrance hole, as well as on the front of the box itself, which I'm presuming is nectar.

They're no trouble at all, and it's great to see the garden full of bees for a change.

 

[Sc0tty]

I've just discovered bees are clustering under my roof tiles. They aren't causing any trouble yet. Is it safe to leave them to do what they do or should I call in the experts to deal with them?

 

[keith]

I've just discovered bees are clustering under my roof tiles. They aren't causing any trouble yet. Is it safe to leave them to do what they do or should I call in the experts to deal with them?

I've never had bees yet that have caused any trouble, leave them alone and they won't bother you, just enjoy them.

 

[Sc0tty]

I've never had bees yet that have caused any trouble, leave them alone and they won't bother you, just enjoy them.

Thanks for the advice Keith. We had wasps in the roof one year and they were a nightmare.

 

[Ruff]

In some gardening catalogues, such as the one at the link, I've seen special bee nesting 'boxes' that are intended for North American solitary bees. I wonder if it would be worth while getting one?

http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=70416&cat=2,47236

 

[Andy Adcock]

I've never had bees yet that have caused any trouble, leave them alone and they won't bother you, just enjoy them.

You've clearly not had masonary bees!


Andy

 

[keith]

You've clearly not had masonary bees!


Andy

There's a few in the mortar of the walls of my house but they're solitary and not a problem.