Bee invasion advice?

[Kiwi_Soph]

There is a slightly long-winded intro to this but I have a wee bee problem I was wanting some tips on.

So, we recently decided to grow some veg in the garden but, seeing as how our garden is essentially one large rock and a bit of clay we have been growing in a big Veg Trug that is on the decking part of a small gazebo. Other veggies are scattered around the base of the trug and bottom of the gazebo in various sized pots. So far, so good, it is a reasonably sheltered and very sunny bit of the garden.

However, in the last week or so we have noticed an enormous amount of bumblebees in that bit of the garden and I am fairly sure (judging on the amount coming and going) that they have made a house under the gazebo, directly below where all the veg are.

Now I don't mind bees - think they are so lovely to have in the garden and I am quite happy to have a nest. But - here is the problem - I don't want to piss them off! To harvest, weed and water all the pots I have to walk over the planks just above them quite a lot, weighing down the wood and, with all the watering, there is a daily overflow of water dripping through the planks on top of the bees. I would move the whole garden and let the bees get on with it but although we can move some of the pots I don't think we can lift the trug with all the soil and plants in it!

So I guess my main question is - are they a time bomb? I don't want to eridicate them (really, really don't want to) but what can I do to keep them sweet? And is there anything I should be wearing/doing to protect myself while I'm kneeling down among the veg and the many many bees? (I'm not allergic but still want to avoid the stinging!)


Any tips would be amazing, thanks!

[dave_norm_smith]

Hi

I'm not sure they would bother you to be honest. They have obviously got on with nesting whilst you have been working in that area and the watering etc shouldn't harm them otherwise they'd get upset everytime it rained.

I remember as kids we had them build a nest underneath the entrance to a shed and we banged and crashed about in there all summer without harm. Maybe put a board down to kneel on if weeding?

Dave

[Kiwi_Soph]

thanks, it is reassuring that someone else is in the leave them to get on with it camp.

After a bit of talking we are going to wait for a first strike - if they stop being happy bumblebees and turn into cranky grumblebees we will contact someone qualified, but until then we have a wary truce

[richardbees]

hello kiwi

I've been a beekeeper for over 20 years..... and also know a bit about bumblebees.

They'll NEVER sting you

If their nest (which is a little collection of mini wax cups where the queen lays eggs) becomes unviable they'll just give up. What you could do is put a bit of carpet/vinyl on the decking over where you think they are to stop water dripping directly onto these open cups, they'll adapt to anything else.

They'll be gone by October - and don't return.

richard

[Kiwi_Soph]

oh, cool! I may have to print this page off and show the people I live with so they dont do anything silly - although hopefully they will be alright; so far the only issue is the madly loud buzzing (sounds like a plane is about to land as close as next door's garden!)