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Attack of the killer bees.

KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
in The potting shed
OK, a slight exaggeration but I was preparing one of the raised beds beside our patio for the introduction of an Acer.  Next thing I know is a stabbing pain in the back of my hand.  I look down and there's a humungous bee doing it's best to assault me through the back of my glove.  Fortunately, for me and the bee, the thickness of the glove prevented the barb from embedding.  I managed to get the glove off and the bee eventually extracted itself.  Oddly, apart from the pain of the sting, I had no reaction for several hours and then the back of my hand started to swell and stiffen.  Gone down again this morning with just slight soreness.
There is a reason for this rambling, there were only 2 or 3 bees flying around and I'm wondering if they are likely to have moved on or is there going to be a small nest to be aware of?  I need to get the work done one way or another.

Posts

  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845
    I can vouch for bumblies nesting on the ground! However ours did not return the next year 
    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    Thanks for the answers.  I checked the area yesterday and can't see any sign of activity.  I'll keep a watch for a few more days and if there's no further sign of them I'll go ahead with the work. 
    Definitely bumblies, much larger than honey bees normally seen in the garden.  I do feel guilty about evicting them but I wasn't aware that they were around.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Could there be another spot for the acer?
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    Unfortunately not.  It's a raised bed with partial sun and quite sheltered.  Ideal for the acer and I can mix in a load of ericaceous compost as well.  Plant is Acer palmatum dissectum atropurpureum which has a great semi-weeping form and perfect for that location.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    A great Acer KT53, I used to have one and just loved to recite it's name to anybody who enquired!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    We had one before Lizzie.  When the garden was remodelled they were supposed to relocate it.  It was in a raised bed surrounded by a stone wall, all of which was going, so it should have been straightforward.  Unfortunately the muppet who was supposed to move it smashed the middle out of it and destroyed the shape.  All that was left were 2 branches sticking out at 180 degrees to each other.  "Oh it will regrow" was the only response when I went nuts.  This from supposed 'expert' landscapers.
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