Spruce's honey bees

Lovely pics. In my garden the bumble bees seem to love aquilegias. Sometimes they find it too much hassle to go in through the front door, particularly with the doubles, so they just bite through the back of the flower. Furry vandals. Sheesh.

 

Jack

Cracker shot 2nd shot is my favourite
Come on Jenny get a new camera see how you are missing out
Looks like the fushia Armanddi wantedto know the name off as well
Spruce

 

Looks like the Bee's are slowly turning up here....camera has been on charge so have yet to get some decent pics but i just wizzed outside because it looks like they are having a 'Jubee..lie' party in one of the nest boxes....there are at least 20 going in and out....don't know what kind of bees they are but they look to have a black bottom
The pic isn't a good one but i had to be quick....i don't think they like me much

 

I wonder if they are a scout party out looking for a des. res. for their queen? It would be great if THIS WAS IT Loli.

 

Got another pic...notice they are actually mostly black and you'll notice there is alot of 'gubbings' on the front of the nest box....it wasn't there the other day...what could that be.....

 

MAY DAY,MAY DAY - COME IN SPRUCE . EXPERT HELP REQUIRED.
PS. Loli, are you any good at morse code?

 

.....
I have a job with the 'Green cross code' these days Jenny

 

The bumble bees have made a nest in your bird box , they do occasionaly do this.
I think they may have a tummy problem , my bees have had this years ago realy badly it killed the whole colony off, called "Nosema"

its a a microsporidian, uncelluiar parasite that has just been reclassified as a fungus

so when the bee comes along and eats pollen that has been infected by a other bee it picks up the fungus and this causes it to have a very upset stomach as you can see on the outside of your bird box, this cold wet weather doesnt help as they end up pooping in the nest and not outside so the fungus spreads even more , it should sort itself out soon its normaly a early spring problem .

The bees will only use the nest box over the summer in the Autumn give it a good clean inside and out

Hi Jenny that woodpecker worked that you sent to do the morse code.

Next sunny day and I will do more photos for you PROMISE .

Spruce

 

I was reading up on Bumble bees last night Sprucei'd sort of decided that's what they were but was waiting for confirmation.......so that's what the 'gubbings' is...poor B's.....thanks for the info Spruce....i'm really getting into this Bee malarky

 

you'll notice there is alot of 'gubbings' on the front of the nest box....it wasn't there the other day...what could that be
Yuk- (note the above text colour Loli)
I hope it's not got into that jar of honey I opened at brekkie today

 

Spruce,
I am so sad for all bees in the UK at the moment. It must be a gruelling and unpleasant existance for them. I have visions of them quietly starving to death in their hives as a result of this cold,flowerless Summer. Am I right to be concerned or are they hanging on in there?

 

well they aint all dead! my phacelia 'meadow' (actually only about a meter squared) was COVERED in bees, counted 30, probably more uncounted.

also interestingly when they visit, their pollen baskets are purple, so i assume phacelia pollen is purple! i assumed all pollen was yellow...

 

Hi Jenny
No not looking good , hada email yeterday from Beebase warning everyone to check all hives to see if they have enough stores and if not to feed , but my two are fine and are getting Royal treatment. Lets not forget all the baby birds and butterflies as well

Thanks for asking
Spruce

 

What do you feed them on Spruce....we could all put a dish of what ever it is out to give them all a boost

 

Hi Lol

1lb of white sugar 1pt warm water to help it dissolve its called a 1 x 1 mix used in the spring and summer if needed for the winter feed its a 2 x 1 so more thicker so its easy for them to store in the wax frames, this goes under the roof in a plastic container that holds 6 pints with a very fine mesh hole in the bottom and the bees acces it this way so they dont have to go outside.

Feeding outside the hive is a big NO this attracts the wasps (brown sugar gives them upset stomachs so thats a no as well ) and never use honey from abroad as it may contain disease.

Single flowers are best everyone on here are doing a grand job, poached egg plant is a good one to sow so easy as well still time ....

Hey a bit more info....

Spruce