Bees in wall, should I do anything?

[Ingenious]

Hi,

Sorry this is going to be yet another "I have seen a bee, what do I do" newbie sort of question.

At work I have been distracted by a pitter-patter sound on the window behind me, when I went to look I found this was caused by masonry (if that is the right word for the cement between bricks) falling down, a bit like someone threw a teaspoon of sand over the window ledge.

When I looked up to see where this was coming from, a bee came out of the wall!

The good news is, while I watched in the space of five minutes or so, it did not return (so hardly a swarm in there). The bad news, several other bees came back - to different holes! The mortar is very old.

My first thought is obviously I need to know if this is a major pest issue brewing. I don't think it is, because they have probably been using the wall for years and there have been no problems in the 5+ years I have been there. My second thought is if it is not a potential problem in the future then I am going to leave them alone and not mention it to my boss.

The bees are smaller than the big bumble bees, from below, they seem to have a black lower body (don't know technical name sorry) and a yellow stripe around their middle, I think I saw yellow dots (pollen) on the legs of one of them.

It's quite nice really to see this, and it must make a good spot away from predators and disturbance. But I thought I would ask the experts for advice though!!

Also they are quite funny when presented with several hundred bricks, where is their hole, they zig zag back and forth. Some get right in there, others take a while to find home.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

[Chris]

Have a look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mason_bee. And there's lots of other stuff on solitary bees on the net.

Really, there is nothing to be concerned about, least of all that their tiny excavations might somehow damage brickwork. These bees are common - often nesting in the loose mortar of old brickwork. You won't get anymore than there are now. And you will probably get them re-appear each year.

I understand most types are stingless, but the ones that do have stings, well, they are not the type of bee to get angry. In any case, I believe the sting is not pointy enough to pierce a person's skin.

And have a look here: http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2467

[RoofTops]

A miner bee out flying at the moment is Anthophora Plumipes also known as the Spring Flower Bee and also as the Hairy Footed Flower Bee (truly). There are some images at this link: http://www.bwars.com/Anthophora_plumipes.htm The males have the yellow jumpers. It has a very long tongue for its size to reach down into some of the flowers about at this time of the year.
It is harmless (unless you tried to seriously annoy it I suppose) and will stop flying in a few weeks and not appear until the next generation emerges next year at the same time. Its natural habit is things like clay banks but they also do a fine service removing rotten mortar. Don't worry, the house won't fall down because of the bees.

See my other ramblings at this link: http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2467 which is about the only other wild bee I know anything about and which has a similar life style.

[Ingenious]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, it is reassuring to know they're not a problem and I will leave them well alone. Out of interest I will try and take a photo, as I would like to know what type of bee they are :)