nest identification

[gojiberry]

I saw what looked like a bee in the greenhouse and it disappeared under the wooden staging. On looking underneath there was what looked like some sort of nest. It is built from clay of some sorts and is terracotta in colour. There is what looks like an entrance hole in the bottom of the sphere. I know bees can build with clay and mud but have never seen one build an entire nest in the open. The size is just a bit smaller than a golf ball and would not be big enough for more than a couple of bees.Can not see how to attach a photo so have put it on my blog.

Ian

gojilottie

[Lady Jana Muck]

I just hope its not the start of some thing a lot bigger, I sore one once the size of a football. Nice garden by the way.

[Capsid]

Sounds like a wasp nest.

[di]

definitely bee or wasp nest,destroy it!Dug wasp nest up last year on lottie,got stung & they chased me all the way to bottom of plot!wait til evening then spray killer stuff in & RUN!quite funny though to watch white glowing wasps flying about but as soon as 1 stings you they track you by pheromones & WILL attack!good luck & be careful!!

[Alice]

Gojiberry, to attach a pic, click on the the paperclip symbol at the top of the box.

[Alice]

PS Gojiberry, click Go Advanced at the bottom of the box, first. Good luck.

[gojiberry]

Thanks everyone, I new it was some sort of flying insect nest as I saw it go under the bench. Unfortunatly I didn't get a good look. Will try and do a bit of bee watching. Im almost certain it isn't a wasp. Bees are protected and providing it doesn't get to big I can live with it.
Thanks alice for the info on posting a photo, I knew I had to go advanced but just could not figure out from there. Does it automatically reduce it down to a thumbnail.

Ian

gojilottie

[peanut]

Looks very much like a wasp nest to me!

[mcsee]

Does it automatically reduce it down to a thumbnail.

Ian, it does reduce it to a thumbnail, but the overall "upload" size for a jpeg is 97kb, so you'll also need to reduce your photo size if bigger than this.

[Headfry]

Nooooooo don't destroy it, think bee first. See if you can find out if its bee or wasp. To me it does not look like wasp! A wasp's nest will look like a huge paper mache irregular ball'ish shape! looking a little as if it has been made of molten wood/paper. If you are very lucky you can hear the wasps gnawing at fences, old wood doors nearby. They gnaw off little bits of wood and mash them up to build their nest. It is used only for that year, then they die, with only the queen wasp hibernating until spring, she is often then found trying to get into your house!
You say it's made of clay, I doubt it to be wasps.
You are so lucky......
It is beautifully made. would love some more pics of it please. think of all the money spent these days on attracting bees to nest (bee boxes etc) in your garden - wild bees have made this lovely perfect little home with you, with no outside help or cost, and you can watch and enjoy a share in their lives.
Please don't destroy it until you are sure you really have wasps.

[Nicos]

I thought wasps nests were more paper-like than clay???

[Polly Fouracre]

Wasps are not pests,they are a gardener's friend! Let them be and they won't bother you.

[di]

Nooooooo don't destroy it, think bee first. See if you can find out if its bee or wasp.

sorry if i gave wrong impression,i personally wouldnt destroy it if bees nest,but yes,wasps can be our friends,i never kill them if in house/garden etc,but with two kiddies on lottie dont really want a nest there.But yes i do agree about finding out first if bee or wasp,sorry again 4 upsetting the Bee Brigade!!

[Headfry]

andi&di it's ok, just a bit of a bee hugger me, hmmmm have to be careful how I say and type that.......
Keep us posted on your findings and be careful with the kiddies.