Bee in bird box

Ambelina · #1 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 03:03 PM

I have a bumble bee that seems to have taken up residence in a nest box usually used by blue tits in my garden. No blue tits showing an interest so far this year - does anyone know if the bee put them off and should I 'evict' it?

Kayleigh · #2 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 03:13 PM

Hi and welcome to WAB....
Not sure if the bee will put the birds off but I think you leave bee...

Ambelina · #3 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 03:24 PM

Thanks! I don't really want to evict it, but hoping it will go and blue tits will take up residence as usual instead. Not sure if it is just sleeping in there as seems to come and go morning and evening. Perhaps I should set up a bee box for it instead!

Jenny W · #4 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 03:33 PM

Hi,

Bumblebees will go into nest boxes and strangely enough they are dominant over birds - you wouldn't think it would you!

Often when you get them in there it's the queen insects nest prospecting, however, a small Tit box is not big enough for a bumblebees nest and so you should not get the bee actually nesting in there. They will also tend to just 'hang out' in the boxes sometimes as well, but this shouldn't last.

We found a Hornet in one of our boxes the other day - again, she won't stay in there as it's not big enough - but they are beautiful insects, brilliant to see so close up!

Ambelina · #5 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 03:56 PM

Hi, thanks for your reply. just seems odd no blue tits showing any interest in the box so far this year, when it has been in use by now every year for the last 6 or so - so thought might be due to the bee, but perhaps not. Blue tits are taking mealworms, so perhaps they've just decided to nest elsewhere this year! I have a magpie that started visiting during the snow in Feb and I can't get rid of it, maybe that's why no blue tits. Now all mealworm feeders caged so it can't get at them, and am hoping that no food will put it off from visiting the garden.

Laisseraller · #6 (**permalink**) 24-04-2009, 02:52 AM

Great findings! Birds are not the only creatures needing nesting boxes! New blog on the Hx. of the Ladybug:
History of the Ladybug

Maverick47 · #7 (**permalink**) 24-04-2009, 01:52 PM

Not sure if it is just sleeping in there as seems to come and go morning and evening. [/quote]

Maybe its just using it as a Bee&Bee

RoyW · #8 (**permalink**) 24-04-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny W

Hi,
Often when you get them in there it's the queen insects nest prospecting, however, a small Tit box is not big enough for a bumblebees nest and so you should not get the bee actually nesting in there.

Bird boxes are actually quite roomy residences for some species of bumblebee and are often used. (Most bumblebee colonies are actually quite small).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny W

We found a Hornet in one of our boxes the other day - again, she won't stay in there as it's not big enough - but they are beautiful insects, brilliant to see so close up!

Hornets will also use nest boxes ocasionally, although there probably isn't really enough room to contain a nest once it becomes fully established. I have checked nest boxes on a nature reserve and found Hornets present - the guy who approached the box on this occasion didn't check very closely though!

I don't think that its too surprising that bumblebees are dominant over Blue Tits when it comes to nest occupancy - imagine coming home to find that a bee that had been scaled up to the same relative size had moved into your house!

Roy.

Chucky egg · #9 (**permalink**) 24-04-2009, 04:08 PM

All I've got in my Bumblebee box is snails any tips on encouring a bumblebee to take up residence. I know they say old mice nest are attractive but I don't have any of those. Any tips?

Jenny W · #10 (**permalink**) 24-04-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyW

Bird boxes are actually quite roomy residences for some species of bumblebee and are often used. (Most bumblebee colonies are actually quite small).

Hornets will also use nest boxes ocasionally, although there probably isn't really enough room to contain a nest once it becomes fully established. I have checked nest boxes on a nature reserve and found Hornets present - the guy who approached the box on this occasion didn't check very closely though!

I don't think that its too surprising that bumblebees are dominant over Blue Tits when it comes to nest occupancy - imagine coming home to find that a bee that had been scaled up to the same relative size had moved into your house!

Roy.

Sorry if I'm wrong. The nest box scheme I'm involved with has been running for around 30 years (although I've not been involved with it for that long!) and it has never been known for bumblebees to nest in tit boxes because of the boxes small size. Maybe they haven't used them for some other reason?

Yeah we often find Hornets in the boxes, but definetely too small for a fully established Hornets nest.