Trouble with Masonry Bees
Should I be worried?
Have you noticed small swarms of bees around the brickwork of your house?
Masonry bees are generally smaller than honey bees and are encountered in spring and summer.
They are not social bees and do not live in colonies.
They are often confused with the mason bee, however the mason bee uses existing holes to rear its larvae, while the masonry bee digs its own.
These bees excavate tunnels in soft mortar, usually about 10cm long and coated with a smooth varnish-like material. The bee then fills about 1cm of the tunnel with a mixture of nectar and pollen known as ‘bee bread’ and lays an egg on it. This process is repeated until the tunnel is full.
The eggs hatch, and the larvae feed on the bee bread and grow. The larvae pupate and then emerge in late spring.
As mentioned before masonry bees are not social, however people often assume they are, due to appearing in groups in the early summer. But this is due to similar habitat rather than a colonial lifestyle.
Masonry bees can be found all over the world, but not in Australia.
Dangerous to humans?
Masonry bees are generally harmless, extremely unlikely to attempt to sting, and their sting is unable to penetrate human skin.
Property damage
Masonrybees can cause an issue. This is due to their tunnelling through soft mortar, mainly targeting older properties. Large groups only tend to occur rarely, but because vulnerable structures tend to be repeatedly attacked, fairly sizeable damage can occur over several seasons.
Modern houses with good mortar can not be damaged by the masonry bee.
Solving the problem
In the long term, thorough re-pointing of mortar is the only answer. Small individual holes are easily filled.
Treatment with residual insecticides can present a good short term solution where appropriate. If necessary, the application of an insecticide to the entry hole will quickly kill the occupants.
Having trouble with masonry bees?
Call us on.
01428 714031
I have just moved into a brand new house and discovered bees. I think they are masonary bees as they are going in and out of the gaps between the bricks in the mortar just over the patio doors. They are getting in because the fly guards appears to be badly fitted (ie not fitted to the edeges of the eves giving the bees access).
I am concerned as I have a small child and idealy would like them gone but i believe they are now protected with a £25,000 fine. Is this correct? do you have any advice please?
Many thanks
Andrew Herbert
Hi Andrew,
The first thing to say is that Masonry Bees aren’t dangerous at all. They do not swarm, and they do not sting humans, so there is no real reason to have them destroyed. Also bees are not strictly speaking protected by law, but there are some conditions and restrictions on how they can be dealt with. As a company we do not kill bees unless there is no choice, our recommendation when it comes to masonry bees is to enjoy them. They will do wonders for your garden.
I hope this helps
Hi There,
I too have moved into a New Build Home. And I have also noticed little rounded bee’s flying into gaps inbetween brickwork. Above my kitchen window outside, in the brickwork I have some plastic covers with holes in – I can only assume this is linked to a vent. The Bee’s are flying in and out of the little holes, but I’ve noticed there is mortar missing and holes appearing at the side of the brickwork. I’ve only noticed three or so Bee’s, not seen Swarms. I’d be happy enough to leave them there as long as no damage is caused to the house / Cavity Walls – can you advise please ?
Thanks
Denise.
Hi Denise,
It’s hard to be certain without seeing them, but they do sound as if they are solitary bees, and so are unlikely to cause any damage. However if you are concerned give us a ring and book in a free survey.
Martin
I have a pest control guy coming from the council to see what the problem is, be it Wasp or Bee. If a Bee he can’t do anything.
The Insect is just under my bedroom window since weekend. Everytime I step into the garden there it is…scary.
Flying Ants also are a menace on flying ant day.
Hi Kate,
If the council are unable to help then give us a ring. We are often able to help where others can’t.
Martin
Hi
I have some bee’s in my one storey downstairs extension in the guttering, I’m not sure if they are masonry bees, They look like small bumble bees. It first started with one bee going in and out then it became 2 then 4 and now i think there is about 20. Didn’t mind it when there was 4 bees but now i’m not keen on them being where they are really especially of how many their are and being by my back door.
many thanks
Antonia
Hi Antonia,
They sound like bumblebees to me. There are a number f different species in the UK and they vary in size. They won’t do any harm, and aren’t aggressive. The colony will disappear soon by itself. IN the mean time try to enjoy them, they will be doing wonders for your garden.
Hi,
I have lived with bees entering my first floor flat in small swarms through the smallest nooks and crannies,have never been stung but fed up with the pollen and body mess.
regards John
Hi John,
I think you need to get someone out to take a closer look. Why not give us a ring and we can let you know if you are within our servicing area.