Compost Bin

[BLUEBEL]

Hi,

At the side of my house I have my Compost Bin. I heard a buzzing noise but I really didn't take much notice but now the buzzing is alot more louder. I have lifted the lid of the compost bin and there is a swarm of bee's in there. I quickly put back the lid. All I know from what I saw briefly, they have white tails and I am not at all sure which kind of bee's these are.
I would like to know if it is just best to leave them alone or do I really need to contact a beekeeper to have them removed.
They are nesting in there so I can guess that I will not be able to remove my compost until they have gone.
This compost bin as been there years and this is the first time this as ever happened. Are they likely to stay permanent or even come back next year.
I am afraid I know nothing at all about bees.
Any help would be very welcome and appreciated.

Thank you,
Bluebel.

[Richard Bache]

White tailed bees means bumblebees!:) Bumblebees form small annual coloies of between 50 and 400 bees. I would just leave them alone, if that isn't too much of an inconvenience to bear as many bumblebees are in decline. They won't give you too much problems and only really sting if you sit or stand on them (although they may fly into you if you are in their flight-path, but not out of aggresion). They will leave when their nest collapses in the Autumn.If you really need them removed, a local beekeeper may be able to help, but I would try to leave them alone.

The Bumblebee conservation trust are conducting a survey into the sites of bumblebee nests and I am sure they would be keen to hear from you if you can spare the time (http://www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk/surveys.htm).

[BLUEBEL]

Hi,

Thank you so much for this information. I will just leave them alone.This is the first time I have seen this happen in my garden. I will look into the link you sent.
Once again many thanks.