Bumble-bee Town Houses

15 years ago

I thought this was funny. During the citrus blooming time, my yard is full of these migartory honey-bees. They seek out a safe, solitary place to sleep in the evening.

They seemed to have a preference for my windchime which resembles 3 'bee-sized' bird houses in a row. In these pics, all three houses are occupied.

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Comments (8)

suegrew
15 years ago
Sounds as though your bees have figured out that they're safe inside your wind chimes.
Don't be surpised if you hear the constant chime in the note of "bee" whenever the wind blows.
Go bees! Hope they're honey bees. They're welcome here anytime.
Thanks for sharing,
Sue
thonotorose
15 years ago
Pete,

How about measuring those holes? Diameter and depth... I think I shall create a condominium with that info.

Thanks.
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SaintPFLA
Original Author
15 years ago
Thonotorose- you know, I never thought about that. What a great idea! The bees seem to love that spot. Even if occupied, there are other bees hovering around the space wanting in - alas, 'no vacancy'.

I'll check out the measurements tomorrow and post back.
thonotorose
15 years ago
bump
SaintPFLA
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi Thonotorose:

Sorry for the delay. I've been really busy with work this week.

The diameter of the opening is about 1/2 inch wide and the hole is about 3/4 of an inch deep.

Again, some of this is 'approx' as I didn't have anything small enough to measure the depth other than a toothpick.

From looking at the photo and observing the bees hide in it, it appears they like the space because they can fit their entire body in it.

I noticed that they moved around frequently while 'sleeping' so they like a space that allows them to turn around to rest in different positions.

Hope this helps. Post a pic of whatever you decide to build for a bee house!
manature
15 years ago
SPF, are they honey bees or bumblebees? The one I see peeking out looks black, so I was thinking it might be either bumblebees or even carpenter bees. Both of those are more than welcome in my garden, btw, and I've seen less this year than any other since I've been here. Just curious as to whether you've seen one kind more than another using the little houses.

Marcia
thonotorose
15 years ago
Could be orchard bees. Great pollinators as I understand.

Thanks Pete!
SaintPFLA
Original Author
15 years ago
They are BumbleBees. Every year at citrus blooming time, these guys are everywhere in my yard, along with other bees of course.

But, these BumbleBees are solitary and seem to be migratory. They leave once the citrus blooms are gone.

I began to notice in the evening that I would find them sleeping in side a large flower cup (ie: sky vine bloom or petunia) and then also found them inside some of my yard art (ie: the windchime).

It gave me a new appreciation to the term 'busy as a bee'. They begin to 'turn in' for the night just before dusk and of course are up just after dawn to go back to work.

I have no clue as to what they do with the pollen collection if they do not have a hive? Maybe someone more knowledgeable about bees can enlighten me.