Leaf Cutter Bees Getting Water Logged

[jewls67]

Hello,
My first time posting. Became interested after seeing fantastic little bees carrying leafs into holes made in my window boxes on my balcony. I was really honoured to have these little visitors but didn't know these little bees excisted. Any way did a google search and came across Wild About Britain. It is brilliant and I have learnt so much! I now need a little help as I don't know if I've done the right thing and how hardy Leaf Cutter Bees are. The pots they were all living in (for solitary bees they seem very social, I have about 15 living in 2 window boxes)I feared were becoming water logged after the heavy rains yesterday. I have moved them slightly under a glass roof I have on the balcony to try and stop any more rain gettin on them. will this cause them problems, I've been told I should have just left the boxes alone, but after watching them work so hard I was worried that the little eggs/grubs would get drowned and even the females might drown under there. Be very grateful of any advice. My mum used to keep honey bees on a farm in Devon when she was a little girl and she has passed her love of them onto me.
Thank you Julia

[Stewy]

Hello Julia, welcome to WAB.

They are fascinating little things to watch, I can't really offer any advice on what you should of or shouldn't do but I can guarantee someone will be along shortly to give you some sound advice.

[jewls67]

Hello Stewy,

I love watching them. I have spent hours (sad I know) watching them coming back with their leaves, then their pollen on their tums and even tidying up the tunnels or digging them further down. Thank you for your post. I was really surprised to find so many nesting so close together.

Jewls

[Stewy]

Come on all you leaf cutter bee experts, help the lady out.

[haematocephalus]

Originally Posted by jewls67

I now need a little help as I don't know if I've done the right thing and how hardy Leaf Cutter Bees are. The pots they were all living in (for solitary bees they seem very social, I have about 15 living in 2 window boxes)I feared were becoming water logged after the heavy rains yesterday. I have moved them slightly under a glass roof I have on the balcony to try and stop any more rain gettin on them. will this cause them problems

Welcome to WAB Julia. I don't qualify as a leaf-cutter bee 'expert', but I would have thought they should be fine as long as the pots don't remain water-logged for too long - presumably they have drainage holes in them? If so I would just let them dry out 'naturally' (assuming it ever stops raining ).

On the other hand, I would also be wary of putting them under a glass roof, as if the sun does ever shine again they could possibly overheat.

Martin


Martin Harvey

[jewls67]

Thank you for your reply. That was the trouble, there were only stones in the bottom and there seemed to be alot of water at the bottom. The glass roof is quite high up and the pots have been moved just far enough to stop the rain falling on them, but they are still quite free to the elements. That said I haven't seen them since the rain so am feeling quite sad. I am hoping it is just because it is not so warm at the moment and I have been getting home late from work.
A friend of mine was cutting her very long grass and discovered a little mound of soil with lots of very pretty little fluffy bees who are nesting underground. There is always a lot of activity with these ones so she has obviously decided to leave the grass in that section of her garden.