Questions for someone who knows about bees?

Question

Last year, there was a tree in my yard with a large split in the middle that bees had decided to use as their nest. I am a filmmaker and needed a shot with bees in the background so I was hoping that the bees would return. It is nice weather, almost May and they have still have not returned yet. Don't bees usally return to the same nesting place each year? What would cause them not to return? Is there anyway I can attract bees to nest in that tree or is it too late? Thanks!

Answer 1

Hello Clarice. I've always wanted to say that by the way (Silence of the Lambs movie reference). Anyway, as the other posters have said, bees are disappearing in many states - 24 in fact based on the last report that I've read. The losses range from 30 to 60 percent on the West Coast, with some beekeepers on the East Coast and in Texas reporting losses of more than 70 percent.

So depending on what state you are, that might be a partial explaination. As for the cause? Nobody is really sure. Could it be mites, disease, cell phones? There's a lot of speculation, but no clear answers right now.

Answer 2

As others have said, the colony may have died.
However, if honeybees still live in your area, there is a good chance that a swarm will re-occupy the old hive. Bees in a hive leave a pheromone scent that will attract a new swarm. The scent lasts at least 8 years, I'm told.
You could call a local bee removal service to ask them about this; maybe they could even bring you a swarm that somebody had removed from their property.

Answer 3

My guess would be that the colony actually died off, but maybe they did just move somewhere else. Also, if therewere justlittle nests rather than a big hive, then they were actually hornets or wasps. Try planting flowers or fruit trees in the area. That should attract bees.

It's not nearly too late; summer is actually the big bee season.

Answer 4

Bees usually winter over in the same hive, they don't move every year. If they're not there any more, they may have died off during the winter, for whatever reason - extreme cold, or disease. Also you should be aware that there's a phenomenon called "Colony collapse disorder" going on, resulting in large numbers of honeybee colonies mysteriously dying off, which started last fall.

Answer 5

First of all, do you know if they were honey bees or some type of hornet who were nesting in your tree?

I have read articles about certain diseases that are killing honey bees in hives that farmers use to pollinate fruit.

Maybee there are some beekeepers here who can help.