Newbie non-beekeeper looking for advice

[AlistairF]

Hi guys, just here wondering if you can offer some advice...

We have a bird box attached to our fence. This year it is not occupied by birds but by a hive of bees (don't know exactly what kind but they're not fluffy enough to be bumblebees). We are wondering what is the best thing to do with them. They are not in the way or causing a nuisance so we are happy for them to stay for the year but we don't really want them there permanently or coming back each year. Will they completely vacate the nest so we can clean it out for next year or will they hibernate so we should leave well alone and accept that the bird-box is now a bee-hotel forever? Or can they be moved, or something else?

Many thanks for any advice.

 

[hemo]

Show us pic if you can of the bees, a bird box is too small for honey bees and likely they are Bombus hypnorum.

Check the bees out in this thread.
Advice please | Beekeeping Forum

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I reckon they're tree bumbles too

 

[Amari]

Hi guys, just here wondering if you can offer some advice...

We have a bird box attached to our fence. This year it is not occupied by birds but by a hive of bees (don't know exactly what kind but they're not fluffy enough to be bumblebees). We are wondering what is the best thing to do with them. They are not in the way or causing a nuisance so we are happy for them to stay for the year but we don't really want them there permanently or coming back each year. Will they completely vacate the nest so we can clean it out for next year or will they hibernate so we should leave well alone and accept that the bird-box is now a bee-hotel forever? Or can they be moved, or something else?

Many thanks for any advice.

Do they have white bums? If so they're most likely tree bumble bees, Bombus hypnorum. They often use bird boxes - our box has blue tits most years but these bumble bees took residence one year. The tits returned the following year without us cleaning out the box.
These bees also have nests under soffit boards, roof tiles etc. You may see some of them dancing aggressively outside the entrance hole: these are the males waiting for a female to emerge...
About four years ago I got frequent calls from neighbours with colonies, but now they (the bees) are less frequent
They are likely to stay 2-3 months then disappear and not return.

 

[madasafish]

I have removed lots of bird boxes with tree bumbles.
White bottoms.
Leave till August if you can and then they will be gone.
Clean out bird boxes at end of laying season to prevent infestations next year.

Some can be very aggressive: they dislike vibration - and can sting multiple times..(experience!)

 

[Erichalfbee]

Clean out bird boxes at end of laying season to prevent infestations next year.

Infestations?
We have one on camera and they are a joy to watch.

 

[AlistairF]

Thanks for all this guys, we'll try to have a proper look at them but it sounds like, if they do turn out to be tree bumbles, we just leave them alone till activity stops sometime in later summer then we can clean out the box.