Sheila E. Posted July 22, 2006 Share Posted July 22, 2006 We have a holiday home in Brittany, Dept 22. A nest of wild bees, with white tipped rear ends, have taken up residence in the ground to the side of the house, down a pipe where the old foss is situated. No amount of water or Wasp killer has detered them so far and we would like to ask if anyone else has encountered this problem and if so what steps they have taken to get rid of them? The concern is that they will just increase in numbers which would make life very unpleasant! Any tips out there? Thanks from ths Newcomer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris pp Posted July 22, 2006 Share Posted July 22, 2006 Your "wild bees" are just bumble bees of some type, the small ones that you are probably seeing are the males. Quite a few different species have white tips and nest underground, they aren't going to increase in numbers, but will maintain a stable population level which will not be very large and they will all die of in the autumn and are unlikely to be in the same place next year.As I'm sure you know bumble bees are really beneficial as pollinators.If you could get a good digital photo of one, it should be possible to identify them.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris pp Posted July 23, 2006 Share Posted July 23, 2006 Just found this link which makes easy reading with some photos.http://hercules.users.netlink.co.uk/Bee.html Hope this helps put your mind at rest, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila E. Posted July 23, 2006 Author Share Posted July 23, 2006 Many thanks Chris, you have certainly eased our minds considerably and the web link was really so interesting and helpful. We never really wanted to actually 'kill' off the bees, only to deter them, but now armed with the info & facts, feel reassured that we can leave the bees in peace and just avoid them until the autumn. Clearly they are valuable creatures as nature intended after all said and done. PS: The bumble bee photos in the link are very much like the bees we have been 'graced' with! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris pp Posted July 23, 2006 Share Posted July 23, 2006 I should have said "welcome newcomer" on last nights reply, sorry, bit late, just going to bed.What's the next "newcomer" going to call themselves, any ideas?Bye for now, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila E. Posted July 24, 2006 Author Share Posted July 24, 2006 Point taken Chris pp. To give others a chance, I now have a name and expect to return to the LF forum at some point soon with more queries...thanks agaain. Sheila Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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