Another bee question

[Georgie]

I have some bees nesting under the concrete plinth supporting my garden shed.  They are black and orange but not quite as big as bumble bees.  Does anyone know what type they are likely to be please?  Sorry I can't post a picture as they 'do their dance' in the air then dive under the shed without settling.

G x

[Robert_Brenchley]

Are they single bees with individual nests, or is there a colony down there somewhere?

[Georgie]

I have no idea, Robert, and no way of knowing, either.  All I can say is that they all enter from exactly the same spot and there seems to be quite a few of them; they are backwards and forwards for most of the day. 

G x

[Robert_Brenchley]

Then it's a pretty safe bet that there's a colony, which eliminates the solitary bees. I'd say they're small bumbles; they start very small at the beginning of the season, then as the nest gets stronger, each generation is better fed than the last, and that bit bigger.

[Georgie]

Oooh how exciting. Thanks for the info, Robert. 

G xx

[supersprout]

... and is there honey still for tea?

[Robert_Brenchley]

We still have a little, and there should be more soon, all being well.

[Squashfan]

Maybe they're mason bees. Are they kinda skinny?

[Robert_Brenchley]

Masons nest in hollow stems and the like, not underground. That would be miner bees, and OK, some are communal, but these don't sound right for them.

[Georgie]

Hi Squashfan.  No, they are fat and fluffy like mini bumble bees. 

Robert, I take it there is nothing I need to do, just let them get on with it?

G x

[Robert_Brenchley]

Just don't worry; people regularly panic over bees but they won't bother you. Bumbles are as  harmless as they come as long as you don't pick them up or start playing with the nest. Even then, kids used to dig out their nests for the very small amount of honey in them. Come the end of the season, they'll die out naturally, leaving a few hibernating queens to carry on next year.

[froglets]

Quick question Robert,

I have now three times seen what I think are bees "getting Jiggy".  Actually it's more like heard as there is one on top of the other with it's front legs clamped around the body & wings of the lower & the top one is buzzing its wings at double speed & the whine/buzz is really loud.

Is it what I think? If it is, I'm staying away from small pink geraniums as that's where it all seems to happen   .  Just please don't tell me it's a parasitic nasty setting in train a gruesome sequence of events.

Thanks

[Robert_Brenchley]

It sounds as though they're mating. In some species of solitary bees the males will patrol a specific spot and wait for the females, and my guess is that this is what's happening.

[Georgie]

Thanks, Robert.  I'm not panicing, I'm delighted to have my very own nest of pollinators and there's plenty of things for them to dine on now.   

G x