Bee Problem
 

I seem to have discovered a nest on my allotment. When digging over the allotment in March, I kept finding very small bee's underground. Not many all at once, just a few dotted over the plot.

They seemed pretty dosile

It wasn't really until April that I noticed holes towards the end of my Plot, underground.

They appear to be very active, but because of the plot and vegetables, I dont want to resort to killing them off if I can prevent it.

A local Beekeepers wife said they sound like Bumble Bee's, However they don't resemble bumble bee's.

I have attached an Image taken from the Garden.

Can anyone shed any light on what they actually are?

Re: Bee Problem
 

Looks like a wasp.

Re: Bee Problem
 

Mining bees?

Attachment 22162

Re: Bee Problem
 

Its definately not a wasp. After investigation it seems like it's some kind of solitary bee which means I can leave them alone, but i'm not 100% sure.

Re: Bee Problem
 

Looks too short to be a wasp to me (although I'll admit I don't know every type of wasp)

---------- Post added at 15:53 ---------- Previous post was at 15:52 ----------

Try Here ===> http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org...blebees_id.htm

---------- Post added at 15:54 ---------- Previous post was at 15:53 ----------

Looks a bit like the Common Carder Bee, as it's mainly one colour, however carders are usually brownish and thats more yellow...

Re: Bee Problem
 

Really sounds like they are mining bees then.

Re: Bee Problem
 

I got a closer pic

Re: Bee Problem
 

It seems to be a young one of these:
Attachment 22165

Or maybe you have discovered a new species :D

Re: Bee Problem
 

Look like like mining bees, if they're not bothering you leave them beE (pun intended).

Re: Bee Problem
 

i would have said a Red Mason Bee

Quote:

Osmia rufa is one of the first bees you can expect to take up residence in a bee post. It is one of our commonest bees. This is another bee that causes concern each spring. The red Mason bee nests in all kinds of holes or crevices, frequently in numbers, in crumbling masonry. It's very unlikely that the bee causes much, if any damage to buildings, as it only excavates mortar that is already crumbling. The female uses mud to construct her cells, hence the name mortar bee. She has two special horns on her face that she tamps mud with during nest building.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/at...1&d=1303924224

Re: Bee Problem
 

yep, they look identical to masonry bees when i alter the contrast on the picture.

No new species found then.

Re: Bee Problem
 

Fill some old pots loosely with straw and bury then upside down with the drainage hole upwards level with the surafce. This will provide a decent shelter for many bee species, and you can locate them where you won't be digging, so if you do disturb some bees, you will feel happier knowing there are others you have sheltered.

Re: Bee Problem
 

Nice idea. Another possibility is a bee post although I'm not sure if this would work for ground diggers.

http://www.insectpix.net/Homes_for_bees.htm

Re: Bee Problem
 

Wasps always have a very thin mobile joint between the abdomen and the thorax, which is the easiest way to distinguish them from the various bee species.