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Post by JaneB on May 27, 2017 18:59:02 GMT
We've got bumblebee tenants! Inspired to make a simple drawing and write a blog post, I also find myself sitting under the loft hatch, listening....  |
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Post by anniefb on May 27, 2017 19:14:41 GMT
I love bumblebees JaneB - have some living in my garden. Not sure I'd be so happy to have them in my roof though! |
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Post by JaneB on May 27, 2017 19:19:15 GMT
Not sure I'd be so happy to have them in my roof though! According the Bumblebee Conservation Trust they do no harm. That's why we're leaving them alone. That, and no one collects bumblebees; only honey bees get moved. If anyone did come to deal with the nest they would probably kill them all.  |
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on May 27, 2017 23:24:08 GMT
I love your drawing! This is a hornets nest under my front gable last year. Let's hope your bees are friendlier than my bees!  |
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Post by Linda on May 27, 2017 23:34:41 GMT
lovely artwork - enjoy your tenants
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Post by JaneB on May 28, 2017 8:17:49 GMT
This is a hornets nest under my front gable last year. Let's hope your bees are friendlier than my bees! OOh now that would scare me! I have an absolute hatred of wasps and no compunction about getting rid of them at all. Well, sometimes a little guilt at killing them but I think they hate me anyway  |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 28, 2017 13:24:48 GMT
Love your drawing!
You are very brave to keep the bees. I'm so afraid of being stung, I don't know if I'd be that brave.
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Post by lisacharlotte on May 28, 2017 14:24:53 GMT
My husband but up bee houses (not hives) to encourage bees in our yard. He's so disappointed that none have moved in so far. I said we might need to buy bees to get them started.
I know nothing about bees so i'm not sure how you get bees to use the house. I would assume you need a swarm to take it over so the queen can start laying? My BIL keeps hives, DH should ask him.
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craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on May 28, 2017 15:42:24 GMT
My husband but up bee houses (not hives) to encourage bees in our yard. He's so disappointed that none have moved in so far. I said we might need to buy bees to get them started. I know nothing about bees so i'm not sure how you get bees to use the house. I would assume you need a swarm to take it over so the queen can start laying? My BIL keeps hives, DH should ask him. I keep honey bees There are 250+ other types of bee, and only some of them will want to live in bee houses. Do you have the type with lots of little tubes in? Other types of bee will like things like old mouse nests, or bird boxes with the old bedding in. Those type of bees can sometimes take a little while to find the bee houses that go in gardens, but once they do, I'm sure it will be well used. Only honey bees swarm with their queen. Most other types of social bee, in the UK at least, the queen overwinters on her own and starts a new colony in the spring. Other types of bee are solitary and live alone or in pairs. We have been called out to so many bumblebee nests jane! Generally we recommend leaving them where they are, as they are highly unlikely to sting you and will probably die off over the winter. I'm glad you've decided to keep them |
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Post by JaneB on May 28, 2017 16:09:10 GMT
We have been called out to so many bumblebee nests jane! Generally we recommend leaving them where they are, as they are highly unlikely to sting you and will probably die off over the winter. I'm glad you've decided to keep them To be fair they're only staying because it seems no one will take them  If they were honey bees we'd try and find someone who wants them. I don't know if it's true but I once heard (before the internet I think) that bumblebees are sort of colour-coded. The yellow can be various shades, so it it's tinged with purple, say, they only go for purple flowers. I don't care if it's true, it means I'm not so afraid one will sting me randomly Of course I may feel differently once my lavender flowers and bees are everywhere! |
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craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on May 28, 2017 17:41:02 GMT
We have been called out to so many bumblebee nests jane! Generally we recommend leaving them where they are, as they are highly unlikely to sting you and will probably die off over the winter. I'm glad you've decided to keep them To be fair they're only staying because it seems no one will take them If they were honey bees we'd try and find someone who wants them. I don't know if it's true but I once heard (before the internet I think) that bumblebees are sort of colour-coded. The yellow can be various shades, so it it's tinged with purple, say, they only go for purple flowers. I don't care if it's true, it means I'm not so afraid one will sting me randomly Of course I may feel differently once my lavender flowers and bees are everywhere! ALL bees love lavender and we love people who plant it i am sure urge you will be fine. Just don't go poking them and you'll be ok |
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Post by lisacharlotte on May 29, 2017 0:56:46 GMT
craftykitten yes they are the tubes. Maybe we should plat some lavender. My husband planted a bunch of insect friendly flowers to encourage the bees and butterflies.
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Post by LisaDV on May 29, 2017 1:17:00 GMT
My husband but up bee houses (not hives) to encourage bees in our yard. He's so disappointed that none have moved in so far. I said we might need to buy bees to get them started. I know nothing about bees so i'm not sure how you get bees to use the house. I would assume you need a swarm to take it over so the queen can start laying? My BIL keeps hives, DH should ask him. I keep honey bees There are 250+ other types of bee, and only some of them will want to live in bee houses. Do you have the type with lots of little tubes in? Other types of bee will like things like old mouse nests, or bird boxes with the old bedding in. Those type of bees can sometimes take a little while to find the bee houses that go in gardens, but once they do, I'm sure it will be well used. Only honey bees swarm with their queen. Most other types of social bee, in the UK at least, the queen overwinters on her own and starts a new colony in the spring. Other types of bee are solitary and live alone or in pairs. We have been called out to so many bumblebee nests jane! Generally we recommend leaving them where they are, as they are highly unlikely to sting you and will probably die off over the winter. I'm glad you've decided to keep them I just got my honey bees yesterday!!! I'm so excited. They seem to be taking to their new hive so well. We got Italian from a breeder in our state. jane, cute drawing. We don't mind bumblebees, it's the wasps and hornets that we try to get rid of. Glad you're keeping them. |
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If they were honey bees we'd try and find someone who wants them. 