There were a few bees buzzing around an old woollen rug at the lottie today, I moved it and about 4 bees came out from under it. When I looked a bit closer, there were 2 bee sized holes which 1 bee went into and then another one started to "dig" for want of a better word (it really did look like that) into the fabric that had rotted away underneath, where the other holes were.
I thought bees generally nested (or whatever it is bees do) up in high places?
Can anyone explain this as I have a bit of a phobia about bees/wasps and the last thing I want is to turn them rabid by destroying their house!!!
They were probably bumblebees.
They frequently make their nests underground using an old mouse hole or in tussocks of grass, moss or anything else at ground level such as carpets.
If you can replace the carpet exactly as it was the bees may be able to restore the nest. They usually only number about 2-300 maximum and all will leave the nest and die in the autumn except the newly mated queens who hibernate overwinter.
We should try and do all we can to protect bees of all types because are vital for pollination of very many flowers especially many vegetables.
You're right Toadspawn they were bumble bees, I never knew they nested that low to the ground. To be honest there were only a few buzzing around, but I put the rug back anyway because of my huge phobia! It's quite hard being on an allotment this time of year when I run 8ft if anything buzzes around me lol. I do actually like bumble bees, they're quite cute to look at......from a distance lol. Hopefully I won't have disturbed them too much.
Just don't worry about them. As long as you can leave the nest undisturbed, they won't bother you, and they do a lot of useful pollination.