So, it looks like honeybees are hiving in an upturned clay pot out back.
I'm glad they're there! but I wonder if there is going to be a point when I'm supposed to, like, do something? I think I can care for the tomatoes next to them without disturbing them, and I now have no intention of trying to weed out that grass behind their clay hive,
Is there anything I should know? Aside from, yay, bees!
It depends.... if its a native bee like bumblebees leave alone their nests don't get as big. and they are really hurting these days because of humans. same goes with leaf cutter bees, miner bees
Where do you live? Africanized or killer bees are becoming an issue in the southern us. . those you DO NOT want. they can put you in the ER.
if its yellow jackets/hornets you got a problem. there nests can be over a meter wide and contain thousands of workers all ready to sting. at the slightest disturbance. Can you post pictures of the workers, so we know.
Also if you don't mind / and you don't do anything to the nest/ assuming its okay. I would like the old nest come this late fall/ winter. to give to my local science musium in st paul, mn. they give points to people- mostly kids- that bring in nature related things, which you can use like cash at there store to buy things.
I'd give you my email if you don't mind so we can keep in touch as it gets closer to that time. but i don't know how to do it safely without brood casting it on here
Okay, a honeybee nest may be okay... we just have to be sure there are no dormant foundresses/queens hiding inside when you ship. Wouldn't want painful stings included, lol.
Name: Catmint/Robin PNW WA half hour south of Olym (Zone 8a)
hey, Kyla. Can you get a photo of the bees? Would be nice to get a positive ID on what kind of bee, since different bees build different kinds of habitats and respond in different ways to intruders.
"One of the pleasures of being a gardener comes from the enjoyment you get looking at other people's yards”
― Thalassa Cruso
Name: Catmint/Robin PNW WA half hour south of Olym (Zone 8a)
From what I understand, the native bees tend to nest in the ground and don't typically engage in the aggressive guarding behavior that honeybees can do with their hives.
"One of the pleasures of being a gardener comes from the enjoyment you get looking at other people's yards”
― Thalassa Cruso
Anyway, I think these bees "went". After a really long hard rain yesterday, they seem to have vanished and I think it might not have been protected enough for them in there? Have not seen ary a bee today, and I even wiggled the pot to check.... So now Ima havta weed that grass, I reckon.
But, no no no, they did NOT go! They are still there and I know because I tipped up the edge of their lair, and checked. Busy bees did not notice me peering in quick! so I set the pot gently down and proceeded to silently do a happy dance.
yay, bees!
