Where are the honey Bee's?

[Scoot]

Not having an old log, I bought one of these last year



It was a bit late on in the season, but several holes were filled, and hatched out this year.
The thing I've noticed is that this year, the first holes to be used were the same ones that were used last year, so evidently the bees are happy to clean them out and re-use.
So maybe you could just try leaving the tubes you've got.

You can get refill tubes here though, as well
Pollinating Bees Tubes | Bumblebees, Bee Houses and Habitats

Can you not just clean them.out with something long and pointy once the bees have came out the following spring?

[Jonny.D]

You can get refill tubes here though, as well
Pollinating Bees Tubes | Bumblebees, Bee Houses and Habitats

Thanks for that link Mothhawk, food for thought

[Snow]

I've only had one cabbage white this year that I've seen. I picked two catterpillars off yesterday but that has been it so far. Brilliant.

Not too many bees. I have a plant (forget it's name) which last year resulted in 20-30 bees at a time on it, but this year it has not been as good. Only a handful of bees and the flowers are dropping their petals quicker. I thought that it might be due to it being quite dry here, resulting in less nectar.

I have lavendar out the front which is just starting to flower, so I hope that helps the bees.

[kathyd]

We have a bee hive for the first time this year and it's been interesting to watch them and to learn about them. They can only fly when temps are above a certain level (forget exactly what), so they tend to get up later than bumblies which can fly at cooler temps. They also go to bed earlier than the bumbles. They don't fly well in wind either although it doesn't seem to stop them completely if it's warm enough. Oh, and they don't like rain, although that's been less of a problem here recently! I read last week that one mason bee can pollinate as many plants as 150 honey bees in fact - I do hope that doesn't bode ill for the honey bees!

They covered our laurel hedge despite the fact we'd cut it back and there were no flowers - apparently some plants inc laurel have secondary 'nectaries' on the underside of their leaves. They also love an old rambling rose which has single petals and wide open stamens which are easy to reach, and the white clover - red clover is better for bumbles with longer tongues. I understand that bees suffer from a 'hunger gap' a bit like we do - the 'June gap' - where there's a gap between spring flowers and summer flowers, so maybe that's slowed things down a bit? We've only had ours for a couple of months, but it's only been in the past 2 or 3 weeks that they've started building lots of new comb, and returning to the hive with pollen (which I believe means they're having babies ). So I think you're right and it's just the weather as usual causing problems. I'm waiting for my lavender to pop open too, and I'm going to sow some phacelia again if I ever get round to weeding the bed it's going in!

[Lumpy]

I found a very poorly bee in the porch, I think it had really overheated and not fed for a bit so I tried what the local bee keeper told me -

sugar dissolved in a small amount of boiling water then topped with cold. Drip a few blobs near the bee and see what happens.

I put my poorly bee outside and gave it a few drops of sugar water and watched when it flew off 10 mins later. One very happy bunny!

[Noosner]

I'm developing a theory that bees like plants that go on and on flowering. As others have said, borage and comfrey are v popular but the main draw in my garden and on my plot has been some PSB that I have let go to seed. Yellow flowers too, when bees are said to prefer blue and purple.

Will post a pic of my bee box. I made it last year and always feel chuffed to little mint balls when I see bees inspecting the insides of the holes and canes. And then you come down to find a hole has been blocked with mud. Fantastic! Made a robin/wren box this year too but no takers so far.

[Scoot]

I found a very poorly bee in the porch, I think it had really overheated and not fed for a bit so I tried what the local bee keeper told me -

sugar dissolved in a small amount of boiling water then topped with hot. Drip a few blobs near the bee and see what happens.

I put my poorly bee outside and gave it a few drops of sugar water and watched when it flew off 10 mins later. One very happy bunny!

Done that myself last year with a bumblebee.

[Lumpy]

The garden bees like the thyme when it flowers, my load of foxgloves, the lavender and all the current bushes.

[Kirk]

Not that many honey bees, although have seen a number.

Do have what seems to be garden bumble bees - smallish+white bum. Think I have a nest of them somewhere and I think the somewhere is in, or under, the bay tree. This is judging by the flight of quite a few I sit and watch, sure I can hear a little buzzing from that area also.

[brownfingers]

The garden bees like the thyme when it flowers, my load of foxgloves, the lavender and all the current bushes.

Same here. Also go nuts for the tayberry and cottoneaster.

[mothhawk]

Can you not just clean them.out with something long and pointy once the bees have came out the following spring?

The beauty of my bee hotel is that it all comes to pieces for inspection or to clean.

[DannyK]

Couple of weeks ago my Photinia davidiana 'Palette' was swarming with honey and bumble bees. Could hear the buzz feet away.

Neighbour has two hives.

Honeysuckle Winter Beauty had bumbles all winter and honey bees later when it was warm and sunny.

[Two_Sheds]

very few insects at all this year, and my plot is usually humming with them. I think the cold spring was to blame

[Bill HH]

very few insects at all this year, and my plot is usually humming with them. I think the cold spring was to blame

Same here in Devon, I have yet to see more than two bees at a time where normaly there would be a lot (particularly on the lavender) and I have only seen one cabbage white. i too think its the cold we have had at nights and perhaps the wind. Neither of which have detered the slugs, they have boomed this year.

[sparrow100]

Was too cold for insects at the beginning of spring, which was when my salsify was flowering. No seeds this year.