Topic: Any bee experts out there?

[caroline7758]

We have quite a lot of bees flying around and in and out of an air brick ( not sure that's the right term-we've had birds nesting there in previous years). Should we do anything about them or leave them bee? 

[goodlife]

There is few possibilities and without photo impossible to say what they might bee...could be even honey bees, which would be bad news..but most likely explanation what your sitiation is, they sounds like masonry bees They don't do any damage to your house..just using any weak points in the masonry/brick work to gain access into cavity in the wall and make their nest there.....again...they don't do any damage! For their nesting material they use what is loose, available and suitable for their purposes.
They are VERY well behaved bees....if you don't bother them, they don't bother you and if you talk nicely to them...they will let you stroke them...
Masonry bees don't make big colonies so there is no worry about increasing population.
I would just sit back...look at them in their work and enjoy the summer scenery...count yourself lucky to have such a well behaved neighbours

Come end of summer/autumn...and they will disappear again.

[caroline7758]

Thanks- as they are high up I can't really see what they look like- will have to get hubby to get his big lens on his camera!

[Flighty]

I would contact the British Beekeepers Association for advice -  http://www.bbka.org.uk/

[pumkinlover]

http://bumblebeeconservation.org/about-bees/identification/common-bumblebees

Tree bees are getting more common now. We have had them a couple of times. They get quite a little colony going, but no trouble at all.
If anything but honey bees they aren't really an problem, if anything a pleasure to have.

[Silverleaf]

Lots of tree bumblebees here! I like having them around.