I just laid a very small patch of block paving in our garden. The ground
is very heavy clay.

Where I have not quite finished tidying up beside the paving, some sand
and clay has ended up a mess. (Yes - I shall be tidying up tomorrow or
the next day!) But when I was looking today I saw loads of bees busying
themselves. It appears that something is attracting them. But, much as I
appreciate bees, I don't want them building a nest/hive/whatever just
outside my front door.

Do I need to worry? Or will they just have a look around and then wander
off?

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

In message , Rod
writes
I just laid a very small patch of block paving in our garden. The
ground is very heavy clay.

Where I have not quite finished tidying up beside the paving, some sand
and clay has ended up a mess. (Yes - I shall be tidying up tomorrow or
the next day!) But when I was looking today I saw loads of bees busying
themselves. It appears that something is attracting them. But, much as
I appreciate bees, I don't want them building a nest/hive/whatever just
outside my front door.

Do I need to worry? Or will they just have a look around and then
wander off?

What sort of bees?

You may have inadvertently blocked the access to an existing nest.

Also it is the time of year for mining bees to be active. They like dry,
firm clay soil and *mine* holes for individual nests. Look for a bee
sized hole surrounded by a tablespoonful of clay chippings.

regards


--
Tim Lamb

Tim Lamb wrote:
In message , Rod
writes
I just laid a very small patch of block paving in our garden. The
ground is very heavy clay.

Where I have not quite finished tidying up beside the paving, some
sand and clay has ended up a mess. (Yes - I shall be tidying up
tomorrow or the next day!) But when I was looking today I saw loads of
bees busying themselves. It appears that something is attracting them.
But, much as I appreciate bees, I don't want them building a
nest/hive/whatever just outside my front door.

Do I need to worry? Or will they just have a look around and then
wander off?

What sort of bees?

You may have inadvertently blocked the access to an existing nest.

Also it is the time of year for mining bees to be active. They like dry,
firm clay soil and *mine* holes for individual nests. Look for a bee
sized hole surrounded by a tablespoonful of clay chippings.

regards



Thanks.

The bees are, well, bee-like. I tried to take a photo but all I have
ended up with so far is a series of pictures of sand-covered muddy clay.
Shall try again today. The overall colour impression is that they are
towards brownish. Maybe a tiny bit larger than ordinary honey bees. They
did investigate under clods and walk around quite a bit.

The soil is anything but dry. Sodden clay - and it tends to stay that
way most of the year.

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

In message , Rod
writes
Tim Lamb wrote:
In message , Rod
writes
I just laid a very small patch of block paving in our garden. The
ground is very heavy clay.

Where I have not quite finished tidying up beside the paving, some
sand and clay has ended up a mess. (Yes - I shall be tidying up
tomorrow or the next day!) But when I was looking today I saw loads
of bees busying themselves. It appears that something is attracting
them. But, much as I appreciate bees, I don't want them building a
nest/hive/whatever just outside my front door.

Do I need to worry? Or will they just have a look around and then
wander off?
What sort of bees?
You may have inadvertently blocked the access to an existing nest.
Also it is the time of year for mining bees to be active. They like
dry, firm clay soil and *mine* holes for individual nests. Look for a
bee sized hole surrounded by a tablespoonful of clay chippings.
regards



Thanks.

The bees are, well, bee-like. I tried to take a photo but all I have
ended up with so far is a series of pictures of sand-covered muddy
clay. Shall try again today. The overall colour impression is that they
are towards brownish. Maybe a tiny bit larger than ordinary honey bees.
They did investigate under clods and walk around quite a bit.

Mining Bees are brown but smaller than a honey bee. Sounds more like a
blocked nest access.

Mary will know mo-)

regards

--
Tim Lamb

"Rod" wrote in message
...
I just laid a very small patch of block paving in our garden. The ground is
very heavy clay.

Where I have not quite finished tidying up beside the paving, some sand
and clay has ended up a mess. (Yes - I shall be tidying up tomorrow or the
next day!) But when I was looking today I saw loads of bees busying
themselves. It appears that something is attracting them. But, much as I
appreciate bees, I don't want them building a nest/hive/whatever just
outside my front door.

Do I need to worry? Or will they just have a look around and then wander
off?

Since you mentioned honey bees I'm sure they won't be bumble bees.

You don't need to worry. Not that you would if they were bumble bees :-)

My guess is that they are solitary bees of some kind and don't have a sting.
They won't be round long and there won't be a large nest anywhere near your
patch. Just watch them, learn about their habits and marvel.


Mary

On Thu, 08 May 2008 08:15:38 +0100, Rod
wrote:

snip

Thanks.

The bees are, well, bee-like. I tried to take a photo but all I have
ended up with so far is a series of pictures of sand-covered muddy clay.
Shall try again today. The overall colour impression is that they are
towards brownish. Maybe a tiny bit larger than ordinary honey bees. They
did investigate under clods and walk around quite a bit.

The soil is anything but dry. Sodden clay - and it tends to stay that
way most of the year.


I suspect they might be drinking....I get such bees in my back yard
after I've watered the pot plants.

Regards,



--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showard{whoisat}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk

Mary Fisher wrote:
"Rod" wrote in message
...
I just laid a very small patch of block paving in our garden. The ground is
very heavy clay.

Where I have not quite finished tidying up beside the paving, some sand
and clay has ended up a mess. (Yes - I shall be tidying up tomorrow or the
next day!) But when I was looking today I saw loads of bees busying
themselves. It appears that something is attracting them. But, much as I
appreciate bees, I don't want them building a nest/hive/whatever just
outside my front door.

Do I need to worry? Or will they just have a look around and then wander
off?

Since you mentioned honey bees I'm sure they won't be bumble bees.

You don't need to worry. Not that you would if they were bumble bees :-)

My guess is that they are solitary bees of some kind and don't have a sting.
They won't be round long and there won't be a large nest anywhere near your
patch. Just watch them, learn about their habits and marvel.


Thanks Mary. We have seen loads of bumble/giant solitary bees this year.
I think more than ever before. But you are right - these are not they.

Having now found and looked at some pictures of mining bees, I think
that could be what they are. I just didn't imagine they would be
interested in such wet clay/sand. And I didn't want to harm them.

Marvel - yes.

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org