We've changed the name of this board from 'Greenfingered MoneySaving' to simply 'Gardening'. This is to help make it easier to find for the horticulturally inclined. The URL remains unchanged for the time being, so all links to the board are unaffected.

Do bees use wasps nests?

zacepi
zacepi Posts: 53 Forumite
Last summer I noticed wasps flying into a hole in the eaves of the house so there was in all probability a nest up there.

For the last week since it got warm, I have noticed lots of bees in the house, generally on the same side of the house where the wasps were last summer. However I haven't seen them fly into the eaves at all so can't be sure.

Could the bees be using the old wasps nest? Or are they likely to be swarming somewhere nearby?

Their body is almost completely black so I think they are honey bees but really not sure. I do have a picture

IMG_7758_1082.jpg

Comments

  • shortcrust
    shortcrust Posts: 2,697
    Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary Newshound!
    Forumite
    Just a guess, but I think it's unlikely they'll use the actual nest (although think of hermit crabs...). However, there's obviously a lovely wasp/bee suitable space that might appeal to them.

    I'd be interested to a more educated response.
  • DaftyDuck
    DaftyDuck Posts: 4,609
    Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary
    Forumite
    Wasps won't reuse a previous nest. Bees (of the bumble variety) are more opportunist, and will use anything suitable as a starter nest, while honeybees start from scratch when they do build a new nest, but the old nest can be used for decades. Yesterday, I was out quietly trying to move some bumble bees on from a pile of soil in the drive where they'll be squashed.... They've moved on to a small hole in the soil that leads to the conservatory soakaway. So, no flooding allowed this summer.

    Bumbles could, therefore, be using the wasp next, but I think shortcrust is right; theres a nice, wzrm, dark space for them, and they are probably building from scratch.

    Bumble bee hives don't grow anything like as large as honeybees, they aren't aggressive, and probably don't need moving on if you are comfortable with them there. They are fascinating to watch. The last conservatory I had put up had to be built round a small nest, leaving their entrance hole unblocked, and we shared the conservatory just fine for that year!

    So, I vote using same entrance area, but probably a new ... small ... nest!
  • peachyprice
    peachyprice Posts: 22,346
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    Forumite
    It could well be a mason bee (looks like it to me), it's the right time of the year for them and they will make a home in any available crevice. These are the bees that are most likely to make a home in bee habitats made from bamboo or wood. They're solitary creatures who lay their larvae in tubes then block them up until the following year. They don't stay around for long, just a couple of weeks. Definitely not bumbles though.

    It's highly unlikely you'll never get a swarm of mason bees, when you say 'loads' how many? I have around 6-8 in my garden, they're very tame and will happily fly in an out of their homes with me standing there.
    Accept your past without regret, handle your present with confidence and face your future without fear
  • zacepi
    zacepi Posts: 53 Forumite
    Thanks for the replies

    On the hottest days of this week I have had to escort a bee from the window about 10 times...but it could have been the same bee 10 times I suppose! Actually there were 2 in a room at the same time.

    They seem docile and dopey....not very lively and able to get to the open window at the top without help.

    Interesting they may be masons - will check for those secret handshakes.
  • peachyprice
    peachyprice Posts: 22,346
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    Forumite
    I had to rescue a bumble last week, it kept walking, yes walking, up the hallway to the kitchen. Three times I picked the little monkey up to put him back in the garden!
    Accept your past without regret, handle your present with confidence and face your future without fear
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,551
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    Forumite
    There's some good ident charts on the web like this one -
    https://friendsoftheearth.uk/bee-count/great-british-bee-count-bee-identification-guide
  • zacepi
    zacepi Posts: 53 Forumite
    Mojisola wrote: »

    That's useful - could be a red mason. Think I will take a better picture if they come back when it gets warmer.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 342.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 249.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 234.6K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 607K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 172.8K Life & Family
  • 247.4K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.8K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards