By the way, I mean it's a shame you have to kill them, not shame on you. You don't sound like you'd kill them if they gave you a choice.
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| Bees, bees, bees! https://www.dirtdoctor.com/efl/dirtDoctor/bees-bees-bees-t1199.html |
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| Author: | drchelo [ Fri Jun 20, 2003 7:13 am ] |
| Post subject: | Bees, bees, bees! |
I have at least two species of bees that visit my yard - one kind is the fat, furry black-and-yellow kind that seems to enjoy bumping into things (hence the term "Bumble" bee?), and these are very harmless. I have another kind that I have seen for the first time this year - they are a duller brown, less fat and more sleek than the picture-book bumbly bees, and they seem to be solitary. Are these "mason" bees? How can I tell (other than getting stung) if these bees are "africanised" or whatever? One of the reasons I ask is that my grandnephew is very allergic to bees, and I need to know how closely I will have to watch him when he toddles out in the garden. Thanks! drc. |
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| Author: | dragonfly [ Fri Jun 20, 2003 7:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
The fat ones sound like either bumblebees or carpenter bees, both of which are relatively harmless unless you happen to step into their nest. I have had a new variety that I thought was a bee which is a little larger than a honeybee, and looks like a honeybee, but is actually a bee-fly. Do a search on Bombyllidae and you might find a resemblance. I have a photo of one I could email you if you want, or if there's a way to post them here, I would be happy to. |
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| Author: | Kathe Kitchens [ Fri Aug 01, 2003 4:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Bees |
Sounds like you have a case where you really are going to kill these guys. Shame. So take some orange oil; a cup if it's regular, 2 oz. if it's concentrate like Orange TKO. Mix with 1 gallon water and drown the hole. Have someone help you and cover their escape hatch with something heavy enough to stay there. It'll kill them like crazy on contact and wipe out most of the rest of them shortly. And it won't pollute your soil. I had to use this method a couple of years ago when some bees decided to live under the doghouse, and chased the poor dogs daily! If you will spray with Skeeter D'Feeter, a citronella spray, it will repel them. I'm with you, those guys HURT! |
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| Author: | Kathe Kitchens [ Fri Aug 01, 2003 4:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
By the way, I mean it's a shame you have to kill them, not shame on you. You don't sound like you'd kill them if they gave you a choice.
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| Author: | kerryjo [ Thu Aug 07, 2003 7:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bees |
We just discovered that we have bumble bees under a very heavy (can't be moved) playhouse. Are there any beekeeping groups that want bumble bees? If not, I guess that we will just do the orange oil thing and seal up the hole. |
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| Author: | creaturefeeder [ Thu Aug 07, 2003 7:44 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
I have never noticed this before, but yesterday I had bumble bees swarming my bird bath??? thirsty I guess? |
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| Author: | drchelo [ Thu Aug 07, 2003 9:02 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
i think it may be bumble-bee swarming season in North Texas..mine are swarming also. The "solitary bees" I have noted, have been identified as "Mason Bees". As for bee-keepers - perhaps your county Agriculture Extension Agent could help with that? I have always been happy to see bees in my yard, but, then, I have not been attacked. The other thing i can think of is to call a pest control company, and ask them what they do - not for them to come and do it for you - and perhaps wait until winter to re-locate the hive. |
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| Author: | funnyfarmtx [ Sun Aug 10, 2003 7:13 am ] |
| Post subject: | bees, bees, bees |
I want to add a question to this question -- can I do that? I'm new here and new to organics, but plunging in, dragging my husband kicking and screaming all the way (he's bug phobic!)! I confess, we occasionally give up and use inorganic methods out of desperation, but normally I find the organics work better, thank goodness! Here's our problem -- we have a trailer home behind our house (out in the boonies) that is storage, workshop, etc., and bumblebees have a hive UNDER it, right by the door, where we can't get at it without getting stung half to death!! We've all been attacked repeatedly, and will hardly go in the trailer anymore! I haven't SEEN my miter saw for months and my arm is sore from the manual saw!! I tried honey w/ boric acid in the end of a piece of PVC (so I could stick it under there without getting too close), but no effect. Am I mixing it wrong? ExACTly how much boric acid -- I can only find "a pinch" -- and exACTly how much honey? We need help! We're on the verge of using poison, I'm ashamed to say, but we're desperate! Anyone have any ideas? We'd be eternally grateful for a solution! Thanks!
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