help I,ve got a colony under ground!!!

[Andy Fotheringham]

Don't know if it is of any help but below is a link to a series of photos of someone removing a swarm from a manhole and fitting the comb into frames.
Sounds similar to your situation.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/idavisonbees/SouthWaterBees#

Best of luck getting them.

Andy

 

[stuart]

Wow pretty daunting. Saturday morning we plan to tackle the problem. They are getting very active with this spell of warm weather.. I can't see them being solitary bees because of the numbers but we'll see Saturday. I'll post as many pics as I can. Thanks guys.

 

[VEG]

Good luck.

 

[stuart]

Thanks for your help folks. Spent a while preparing framed etc etc nothing in the manholes I sat feet dandling in the man hole with approx 20 bees flying round me, all with thier own little burrows. Oh well

 

[Polyanwood]

Bad luck.. probably red mason bees after all

 

[Haughton Honey]

Looks like a bombus to me...hard to tell but dark and very hairy...mind you could be one of my neighbours!!!!
s

Sounds like my ex Mother-in-Law