Colony of bees or wasps in brickwork

Bigphil1474

I don't think that is a mortar/masonry bees - from https://www.oxford.gov.uk/pest-control-advice/pest-control-advice-bees/4

"In appearance these bees are not unlike ordinary honey bees, and share the same soft brown and yellow colouration, as opposed to the bright yellow and black of the wasp, which mortar bees are often confused with."

From the above, your picture suggests a wasp ,but I don't know anything about wasps. I do now know that mortar bees and masonry bees are the same thing. 

Keep_pedalling

That is Vespula vulgaris, common wasp, it would not be using your wall for nesting unless there is a cavity behind it. 

Section62

TheGreenFrog said:

I managed to photograph one (grounded after spraying with water).  looks like a wasp of some sort to me but am no expert. 

Wasp.

How high up the wall are the holes?  Near the eaves or any lintels?

TheGreenFrog

Photo attached.  They are using a hole just below the top row of black bricks and another hole two bricks below that.  About two feet off teh ground.  Near a stone window ledge.  these are not cavity walls so their nest can't be very big

stuart45

Have you got timber floors?

daveyjp

I've had similar over the years.  I just blocked the holes.  

TheGreenFrog

stuart45 said:

Have you got timber floors?

yes - with quite a large void underneath.  but the wasps are not going through the airbrick and the holes they are over 8 inches above floor level

Keep_pedalling

I don’t think they are nesting in your wall, even if you had a void there the holes are to small for social wasps, the vent below looks more suitable. Perhaps there is something else living in the holes they are interested.

Looks like you have house martins as well😊

TheGreenFrog

Keep_pedalling said:

I don’t think they are nesting in your wall, even if you had a void there the holes are to small for social wasps, the vent below looks more suitable. Perhaps there is something else living in the holes they are interested.

Looks like you have house martins as well😊

yes house martins, along with swallows, sparrows, bats and probably all sorts of other creatures!

twopenny

It does look like a wasp but I'm not 100% convinced.
It's an odd time for them to be starting a nest now unless it's a new queen due to the long dry spells.
After a bit of searching it tends to balance that they are best got rid of because they can do damage but that was from pest control guys who have a vested interest.

You could spray the wall when it's quiet with some jeyes fluid so a strong smell they'd dislike. See if they go and bother someone else.