What are Solitary Bees?

 

There are around 270 different types of solitary bees in Britain, as the name suggests they live alone. All are females laying eggs in a  small burrow or hole. They will gather together in larger groups all living singularly but in agregations.

They are much smaller and slimmer than bumble bees and a little smaller than honey bees but have a similar body shape.

Some of the more comon ones are the "Mining" bee, which nest in individual holes in the ground, masonary bee make holes  walls in mortar joints or soft bricks.

 

Masonry and Mining bees like a sunny, south-facing position. Nests begin in spring or summer and contain six to 12 eggs, each in a cell  with pollen and nectar then sealed with mud. New adults emerge the following year to repeat the cycle. Masonry bees are honeybee-like in appearance but smaller.

The female has a sting, but will not use it unless squeezed between your fingers !

 

Can masonry bees seriously damage buildings?

A few holes will not cause serious damage to a building, bees will use existing holes and crevices even beetle holes in timber, as well as spaces under roof tiles, behind ventilation grilles.

However, solitary, females are attracted to sites with other females present, and may also  burrow mortar joints. They use their jaws to excavate or enlarge holes, kicking out spoil behind them. The yearly burrowing activity may over several years cause a reduction in the  load bearing capacity of cement or bricks that could fill with water which might expands on freezing.

 

Should I control masonry bees?

Where a large number of masonry  bees threatens the fabric of a building it might be necessary to take action. If there are numerous nesting holes and large numbers of bees milling around on a  wall with bits of mortar dust and brick particles at the base of the wall it might be advisable to take action and repoint the building or erect a fine mesh net to prevent access to the wall until remedial work can be carried out. The provision of artificial nesting boxes on or near walls can help entice bees away from them and prevent recolonisation. These can be home-made from dried clay soil indented with holes or, alternatively, proprietary kits are available manufactured from environmentally-friendly materials.

 

What should I do about masonry bee damage?

Mortar joints should be raked out to a depth of 15mm minimum and repointed, preferably in late summer or autumn. Masonry bees  re-use their natal nest sites, this so this will help break the cycle. New mortar  needs to be strong enough to discourage burrowing but not  be too strong for the bricks or stone.  Galleries and burrows can be filled using a mortar gun with a wetter than usual mix to aid the flow

 

Should I use chemicals against masonry bees?

It is always preferable to find a way to live with bees or to discourage them away  rather than killing them, however we recognise this isnt always possible. Contact your local pest control company who will be able to advise you.