What type of bee

[Hassan]

Over the past week we have just noticed some bees going in and out of these small holes in the wall, I'm guessing they are for ventilation, the wall is south east facing and has the holes about every two bricks and I think most if not all are being used by the bees. My guess is they are masonry bees, will they cause any damage? Should I leave them? What can I do to help them?




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[mothhawk]

If the bees are using cavities in the wall that are already there, they are not likely to damage the mortar any more. What they will do is seal up the holes eventually, so if they are ventilation holes then you won't get any ventilation. Although there may be quite a lot of bees, they are actually solitary bees, meaning they don't make a hive with one queen and lots of workers. They just like to nest near each other, safer from predators perhaps.

Each bee will be a female making her own small nest of a few female eggs and a few male eggs, each sealed up with a mud wall in its own compartment with a pollen store. Next spring these eggs will hatch and male and female bees will emerge to start the breeding cycle again. I have some in the mortar near my front door.

Last year I bought one of these



(20cm x 18cm)

which I put up to encourage leaf-cutter bees, and I noticed that the mason bees are using it and have already sealed off 2 or 3 holes.

[Hassan]

Yh a few of the holes have been filled already, I think I will make a box or something like it for them to use as well, more bees in my garden is a good thing

Any one have a link for a instructional for making something for them?


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[Bigmallly]

Don't know if this helps:

Create a Pollinator House : HGTV Gardens

[Bren In Pots]

Hassan theres some easy looking Bee boxes here :-

Damson Cottage Garden | Bee and Bug Boxes

I bought mine from Aldi for £6 and it attracted the bees straight away.

[Knight of Albion]

A good website for bee information and identification

Different kinds of bees in the UK | Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust

[pigletwillie]

Hi Hassan,

they are very likely mason bees and will do no damage to your home nor are they likely to sting you. Enjoy the fact they have chosen to lodge with you.