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Talkback: Bee roads

Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
in Talkback
Well suprised there was not a local beekeeper in the vicinity ready to snap it up! I never go anywere without my swarm kit in the back of the car. Never that lucky though. A pril is very early perhaps they went back home ......
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  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    A swarm today whether April or May,a Bee keepers delight, such a wonderful sight Bees in buzzing flight,is the bee keeping man, thinking a plan loads of Honey, or is it the money,a story of sweet success.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    How Wonderful that so many people are at last realising that if the world has to be fed we have to have bees to pollinate and not to kill every thing we dont like
    A bee only lives for around 8 weeks so a very busy time
    The Market Gardeners where I live import Bees from Holland to live in the Tunnels for the Early Strawberries and later Runner Beans and Tomatoes Crops
    The Bumble Bees that live in the Hedges and survive the winter here are the earliest ones and the wild honey bees much smaller are out when the ground warms up for them
    Ihave been chased around my garden today by the First Hornet and that I am not happy about !
    We have had a very warm day after the Heavy Rain of the last few days and everything is making the most of it
    Looking forward to all of the May Day Celebrations in our village at the weekend with the Children as May Queens and May Kings Face Painting and the usual Fun !
    A very happy and Sunny weekend to all
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Bees swarm in April, of fruit you'll have your fill.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I always know when spring has arrived because so do the bees. We have a crack in the concrete just in front of our garage and every spring we watch the honey bees come and go down this crack. I would love to be able to see what lies beneath!
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    With regard to bees can anyone tell me if I should be worried about bees disappearing into my garden borders? I recently weeded and added some mushroom compost and in one border I keep seeing bees going into holes in the border for a couple of minutes and then emerging and flying off! Can anyone help with why this is happening?
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Update

    According to the East Dulwich Forum, the bees were taken by a bee keeper, see the lengthy exchange of messages at:

    http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,260990,page=1

    Meanwhile the local press managed to scare everyone with its billboard, one of several featured by the BBC:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8024511.stm
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Bumbles - I have noticed one flying into a stable and disappearing into the space between the shiplap and the inside panel. Is it (they) nesting and if so can I safely leave them to it??
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Reply to Novice Joan

    Unlike wasps and honeybees, bumblebees are very docile nesters. For one thing there are far fewer of them in the small untidy nest, probably only a couple of hundred at the height of the season, where wasps may have 10 – 12,000 and honeybees up to 80,000.

    They are also far slower to anger. Both wasps and honeybees will attack if you stand too closely to the nest, but bumblebees will just fly round you.

    Caution is the guiding principle here. If you and they can go about both your respective businesses without getting in each other's way or causing upset, then leave them alone. If you find they are disturbed by your continued presence and they start becoming aggressive then you may have to get rid of them.

    I have a nest in one of my compost bins this year. It is just 3 metres from the back door, and although we keep plonking in grass cuttings and kitchen waste, they keep coming and going apparently oblivious of our actions. And although I've mentioned it to my family, no-one else has yet noticed their activity.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I took notes last year and, although I can't lay my eyes on them, I'm sure the bees are so much earlier and in far greater numbers this year. Just totally in your face. We linked two small 200 yr old farmbuildings together to make our cottage, incorporating both our front and back door. when both are opened it is a busy bee flight path whom have probabaly used the same air space for centuries.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Loganslady: The bees in your flower bed are quite possibly solitary ground nesting bees. These bees don't form a hive or swarm but sometimes live in a community (imagine people in a block of flats living individual lives). Solitary bees may also live in holes in wood, brickwork, etc., depending on the type. These bees are harmless and very placid in nature so no need to worry. They are also fascinating to watch and can provide hours of enjoyment. They tend to only be around for a short while in the year (maybe just a month or two depending on species) to enjoy them while you can. :)
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