Mining bees!

[2dogs2000]

Today I discovered what I am assuming is evidence of mining bees. Unfortunately they have chosen the school playing field to nest in. Now that the better weather is here the children are playing on the playing field at lunchtimes. I don't like the idea of exterminating them but I think this may be the only option as they have chosen a very unsuitable site. What do you think?







P.s. A child poked a stick in one of the burrows and produced a near to death bee (presumably squashed by the stick)but I never got a chance to see it.

[JRsbugs]

It would be a shame to exterminate them. They are probably Andrena fulva which has appeared in the last few days, I have nests appearing in my garden too. Ask the child what colour the bee was, A. fulva is a rich tawny orange colour all over. They are harmless, I would be more concerned about the welfare of the bees I'm afraid.

[2dogs2000]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

It would be a shame to exterminate them. They are probably Andrena fulva which has appeared in the last few days, I have nests appearing in my garden too. Ask the child what colour the bee was, A. fulva is a rich tawny orange colour all over. They are harmless, I would be more concerned about the welfare of the bees I'm afraid.

I wish they had nested in my garden rather than the school playing field. I doubt whether I will be able to find the child who found it (400+ children) unless I am very lucky. I have persuaded 2 dinner ladies to try to keep children away from that area but the word we are looking at here is 'try'.

Are the bees harmless? What if they are disturbed? The childrens safety is always a priority and if the bees are going to swarm or sting then they will be exterminated.

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by 2dogs2000

Are the bees harmless? What if they are disturbed? The childrens safety is always a priority and if the bees are going to swarm or sting then they will be exterminated.

They are harmless - 1 bee to a burrow so they do not "swarm" like honeybees and they do not defend their nests like honeybees. Their stings have trouble getting through human skin.

[2dogs2000]

Originally Posted by Matt Smith

They are harmless - 1 bee to a burrow so they do not "swarm" like honeybees and they do not defend their nests like honeybees. Their stings have trouble getting through human skin.

Thanks Matt. This is what I was hoping so I can report back to the head and prevent getting the exterminators in.

[JRsbugs]

I would think with that number of nests you would eventually see some going down the nests, or coming out. It might not be easy to keep the children away, you know how inquisitive they are! Is it possible to erect some sort of temporary fence or use something similar around the area to mark it as a no go area?

This would be a good opportunity to make children aware of the insects around us, and their importance as pollinators. Not only that, the right to live and be respected. Maybe someone could do a project where they could learn about these bees.

[2dogs2000]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

I would think with that number of nests you would eventually see some going down the nests, or coming out. It might not be easy to keep the children away, you know how inquisitive they are! Is it possible to erect some sort of temporary fence or use something similar around the area to mark it as a no go area?

This would be a good opportunity to make children aware of the insects around us, and their importance as pollinators. Not only that, the right to live and be respected. Maybe someone could do a project where they could learn about these bees.

I have just been back to see the head and she is going to do an enrichment assembly on bees tomorrow. We have a school orchard and they are important as pollinators etc.
Fencing might be an issue but I have the head on my side now so we will see.Thank you and Matt sooooo much.

[JRsbugs]

Thumbs up!

I know my A. fulva love plum flowers which have just opened. The Apricot (Tomcot which produces well and is great for jam but not an eater) was about finished when they turned up this year but bumblebees did the job.

[Ladywell]

Originally Posted by 2dogs2000

I have just been back to see the head and she is going to do an enrichment assembly on bees tomorrow. We have a school orchard and they are important as pollinators etc.
Fencing might be an issue but I have the head on my side now so we will see.Thank you and Matt sooooo much.

Well done you!! What was initially thought to be a problem has now turned into a teaching aid!! Who knows how many budding naturalists will be 'born' from this situation?

[Africa]

Super! I was going to write about taking this opportunity to show children the value of solitary bees. They are also loving my plum tree and in a few days they will come to the cherry too. They are such beautiful, harmless bees.