Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Wasp nest in small pot

shazgarnershazgarner Posts: 4
in Problem solving
I have just see what looks like a wasp carrying a leaf fly underneath a small pot (about 6inches in height) that i have on top of a small table that contains a tomato plant.  Does this mean i have a wasps nest being build in the small pot?  if so what should i do.  I'm only in a small yard and don't want lots of wasps flying about but am a bit reticent to harm them.  My other half has suggested taking the plant out and seeing what is there to get rid but I'm scared if i move it there will scent left behind and the wasps will get angry or build again.  I don't know what to do, Help!  Any advice would be great. 

Posts

  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    How lovely - it sounds as though a leaf cutter bee has decided to make a tiny nest in your pot.🙂 (certainly doesn't sound like a wasp).

    Absolutely nothing to worry about. They're solitary non-aggressive bees and their nests are fascinating little bits of engineering. I had one build several lined tunnels in a pot on my patio table a couple of years ago and, apart from enjoying watching the activity, I didn't even know it was there. Certainly didn't bother us when we had food etc at the table.

    If it's a tomato plant that you're watering frequently you may find that the bee decides it's not the best place to nest after all, but please don't be tempted to spray it or anything like that.

    Google leaf cutter bees to find out more about who has chosen to make their home with you🙂
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • shazgarnershazgarner Posts: 4
    Thanks for the advice.  Will google leaf cutter bees. Do you think it would it be ok to move the pot a bit away from where it is now?
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    Yes - if that makes you feel a bit happier🙂
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you have a tomato in a 6 inch pot, it isn't going to be happy in it for very long, so I think I'd forget about the tomato and leave the pot for the bees.  :)
    I'd agree with @Topbird that it's a leaf cutter bee if it's taking plant material into it. If you have a look at your plants, you'd also see the tell tale cut out sections along the leaf edges if it's those.  :)
    I have wasps nesting every year in the garden - usually in the hedgehog box or the similar one I made after seeing bees using the hog house for a nest. There's a lovely nest being built in it just now. They're absolutely beautiful  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • shazgarnershazgarner Posts: 4
    The plan was to repot the tomato plant so might just leave it for the bee, i have four others plants to repot so not a great loss.
    Thanks for the help guys
Sign In or Register to comment.