At Key West Pest Control, we are keen to promote the
interests of the bee population. All life is dependent on the pollination of
crops and plants as carried out by the bees. Indeed, a view frequently
attributed to Albert Einstein states that if the world bee population were to
die out, then humankind would become extinct around four years after. It has
been recognised and proved that the bee population is experiencing severe
diminution owing to climate change and disease. For this reason, we would like
to highlight the importance of protecting the masonry bee. Everyone can play
their part in protecting the masonry bee simply by not killing them. People
frequently kill masonry bees because they are similar in appearance to, and are
mistaken for, wasps
Masonry (or
"mortar") bees are solitary creatures that do not nest in a colony
but favour singular holes in the ground and occasionally in walls and in mortar
joints, soft bricks and stones. We host around 20 different species in Britain.
The most commonly found species of masonry bee is Osmia rufa (the red masonry
bee). In order to enhance the germination of eggs, masonry bees favour
south-facing, sunny points. On an annual basis, their nests are established in
spring or summer (according to species) and usually contain between six to
twelve eggs. Each egg is provided with pollen and nectar is usually sealed with
the use of mud. The following year the new adults will exit and repeat the
cycle. As mentioned they are similar in appearance to wasps and somewhat
similar to the honeybee. Only the females have a sting, which they will not use
unless we accidentally apply pressure to them such as squeezing them or sitting
on them.
If there is a dense aggregation of masonry bees in a
building they may cause damage to the fabric of a building. In such
circumstances professional action may be required. A serious problem would be
signalled by multiple nesting holes and large numbers of the bees around a wall
of a building. Another indication would involve the discovery of flakes of
mortar and freshly detached pieces of stone or brick. Mortar bees, however, are
now thought be much less detrimental to buildings than was previously thought
to be the case. Usually therefore professional intervention is unnecessary.
Taking into additional consideration the great value the masonry bees add to
the environment as pollinators, we would seek to encourage professional control
as a last resort.
A handful of
holes will not cause significant damage to the fabric of your business or
domestic premises. Masonry bees are opportunistic creatures, often using
pre-existing holes and crevices such as beetle borings in timber, space under
roof tiles, within locks, behind ventilation grills and in old holes made by
nails. The female is attracted to areas situated with a multiplicity of other
females present. They are known to use their mandibles to excavate or enlarge
holes ejecting debris behind them as they progress. Problems to the fabric of
your business or domestic premises would arise if water were to get into a
system of holes and freeze during winter, resulting in freeze-thaw action. In
rare circumstances birds might disrupt masonry if attempting to feed on the
larvae.
Mortar joints affected by masonry bees can be cleaned out to
a depth of 15mm and repointed, ideally in late summer or autumn. This will aid
in the breaking of the cycle as female masonry bees commonly prefer to re-use
their natal nest sites. New mortar should not be too strong for the bricks or
stone, but hard enough to discourage the bees. In some cases, it has been known
that temporary use of a fine netting over walls is a practical deterrent: this
method ought to be employed in the spring when bees are searching for nest
sites. We would urge you to provide artificial nesting boxes on or near
walls - this will help entice bees away
from them and prevent re-colonisation. These boxes can be home-made from dried
clay soil indented with holes. Manufactured kits are available from suppliers.
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