wild bees question

nicka

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Jun 13, 2003, 10:37:01 AM6/13/03

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Hi - I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me.

I live in the UK and yesterday noticed a 'mound' of moss in some long
grass near to my
front door. This seemed odd and while examining it a bee flew out of
it.
On closer study I realised it was a nest and I am wondering whether I
should
do anything since it is rather close to my home entrance.

My question is basically how 'dangerous' this might be. The bees are
smallish and brown.
Do they sting? Will the nest grow large?

any advice would be appreciated - I think my wife would prefer it not to
be there...

nick/oxford

Peter Edwards

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Jun 13, 2003, 6:43:30 PM6/13/03

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Nick

These are bumblebees. Some live underground, or in cavities (like bird
boxes) but some live on the surface like those that you have. They are
called carder bees because of the way that they make their nest from moss.

The nest is only annual - they will produce new queens and drones towards
the end of the summer and the queens will then hibernate ready to start the
cycle next year; the rest of the nest will then die out, probably by
September. Likely maximum population will be around 100, and you are
therefore unlikely to see more than 4 or 5 at a time going in or out.

Although they can sting, they are very docile and unlikely to do so unless
you really stirred them up by disturbing the nest. Bumblebees are extremely
valuable pollinators and are having a very rough time these days with loss
of habitat, agricultural sprays etc. So live and let live, count yourself
privileged that you have them in your garden and enjoy watching them for the
next couple of months.

Peter Edwards
beeke...@stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk
www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/

"nicka" <ni...@pcred1.earth.ox.ac.uk> wrote in message
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Freddie Cooke

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Jun 14, 2003, 3:59:34 PM6/14/03

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Bumble Bees are now protected by law so they may not, under any
circumstances, be poisoned.
If you wish to move them simply mark the area and return at night with a
spade and a shoe box. Mark out the whole area of the nest and then
carefully remove it. Plkace it in the shoe box, in which you have already
made a hole, about two pence size, and place the box under a hedge in a more
convenient position. They do not fly after dark and so that is a safe time
to move them IF move them you must.
If you do not fancy doing the job yourself then your local council can
probablly put you in touch with a beekeeper who will help.

Regards Freddie Cooke.

Peter Edwards <beeke...@stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in
message news:bcdkda$sh1$1...@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk...

Peter Edwards

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Jun 15, 2003, 4:11:11 AM6/15/03

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"Freddie Cooke" <fco...@speed-mail.co.uk> wrote in message
news:3eeb...@news.greennet.net...

> Bumble Bees are now protected by law

This is often quoted and I would like to think that they are, but I have
been unable to find the relevant law. Can you advise on which law protects
them?

This may be of interest:
http://www.lbp.org.uk/action/statements/ssbumble.htm

Peter Edwards
beeke...@stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk
www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/

nicka

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Jun 15, 2003, 9:42:51 AM6/15/03

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- thanks for the info guys. (-isn't the internet great!!)

I will look forward to observing the little fellows over the summer.

Regarding the name 'Bumble Bee', I always thought that was what the
big black bees were called......

- they look so different - what are they then?

thanks again
nick

beekeep

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Jun 15, 2003, 5:19:21 PM6/15/03

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On Sun, 15 Jun 2003 14:42:51 +0100, nicka <ni...@pcred1.earth.ox.ac.uk>
wrote:

I thought you guys called them humble bees.

beekeep

Peter Edwards

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Jun 15, 2003, 6:40:57 PM6/15/03

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There are 19 different bumble bees in the UK, although I think one (at
least) may now be extinct). Probably no more than 6 of these are fairly
common.

The very large ones that you see in the early spring are the overwintered
queens. Once they have established a nest and have workers they will remain
in the nest. The first workers are very small because food supplies are
poor, but later ones will be bigger.

Colour varies according to the species and also between queen, worker, and
drone.

Peter Edwards
beeke...@stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk
www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/

"nicka" <ni...@pcred1.earth.ox.ac.uk> wrote in message

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Peter Edwards

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Jun 15, 2003, 6:42:14 PM6/15/03

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> I thought you guys called them humble bees.
>
> beekeep
>

Maybe 100 years or so ago!
--
Peter Edwards
beeke...@stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk
www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/

Peter Edwards

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Jun 18, 2003, 4:20:45 AM6/18/03

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Just to tidy up on this one, I emailed DEFRA and they advise that bumblebees
are not protected by law.

Peter Edwards
beeke...@stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk
www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/