is this a wild bee's nest?

Question

there are many very small bees going under a gap in the roof of the porch. they must have a nest in there. they do not seem to be a threat. is it ok to leave them and not contact the council

Answer 1

I would say leave it alone...
The bees seem to be 3 banded Italians, which is a more docile bee. You would be lucky if you got one sting! I mean I can go to my Italian beehives without my suit on, just a T-Shirt and pants they are just that gentle! And the odds that this hive will grow and grow are quite small. There are many factors that suggest that that hive will not grow!
1. the hive may die out this Winter!
2. they may just die out because the lack of foragers to get nectar from the fields, and they may starve and die!
3. If they do grow. IF! A ton of bees will leave with a new queen build a hive somewhere else!

If you do keep them.. and you don't like them flying around you
1. don't let there be any sugar or any substitute for sugar be in sight of the bees.
and
2. don't have any places they can use as a water source...

If you don't want them call a beekeeper in your area by either calling a local beekeepers club or group, contact local authorities they might know a beekeeper that can do it, or a pest control company. But the pest control company may just kill the bees, if you want to save them call a beekeeper. And if you do use a pest company and they do kill them make sure they clean up the dead bees, or you clean it up. Because bees leave a bad smell when they die, and they might kill hundreds or even thousands of bees.

I hope this answered your question,
Dave
Beekeeper

Answer 2

It sounds like you have a nest - you don't have to report it but it will just get bigger and bigger so the sooner they remove it the better. Some councils have specially built hives that they move the nest to so its not a cruel procedure and they don't kill the bees if that's what you're worried about, they do just remove the nest and the bees go and find somewhere else.

Answer 3

The "very small bees" makes me wonder if it is a native bee or wasp of some sort instead of European honey bees. Please let the native ones be! (as it were). They won't build up in number to a giant hive like normal honey bees. The unique thing about honey bees is their ability to survive over winter and then keep building the next year. Still, it they aren't hurting anything you could let them go. However, if they are in your attic space, and you have to work up there for some reason it could be a real pain. Bottom line...not honey bees, no problem, let them stay. Honey bees....jury is out. If a problem, you may want to have them removed.

PS...assuming they are not the overly-aggressive Africanized bees, in general bees and wasps won't "attack" anyone. Just let them alone and they won't hurt anyone. People exterminate far too many insects that they don't need to.

Answer 4

both bees and wasps can be a problem. Honey in your attic is not a good idea and if a wasp population got very large it could prevent you from eating outdoors. You wouldn't want guests who are allergic to bee stings to get stung.

Answer 5

Generally not a good idea to leave them. You should contact a local bee keeper who will probably be able to collect the swarm.

Answer 6

Take Sunshines advice - bees stay for years in the same place - so sort it now before it becomes a big problem.

Wasps only stay for 1 season and move on!

Answer 7

Well, I have the same problem with wasps. They tend to die every winter and come back in different places. They don't seem to be a problem.

Answer 8

sounds like it

Answer 9

if they don't bother you then I would just leave it alone