What kind of bees are these and how can I discourage them next year? - Ask Extension
Hi - These bees took up residence in my patio furniture around the beginning of April. They are mostly gone now, but I did see one a couple of days a...
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What kind of bees are these and how can I discourage them next year? #870797
Asked May 30, 2024, 3:29 PM EDT
Hi - These bees took up residence in my patio furniture around the beginning of April. They are mostly gone now, but I did see one a couple of days ago. At first I thought they were Mason bees, but they didn't look or behave quite right. They were more "attentive" than Mason bees and larger. It seems that there were three or four always hovering around the furniture but if I moved it, suddenly there would be more like 12-15 of them. They filled in many things with mud and I found some things that may be eggs(?) out and about. They hardly ever landed so it was hard to get pictures. I would really like to discourage them from returning next year...
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Diane,
They are related to mason bees, which you can tell because they are carrying pollen on their abdomens rather than on their legs. I can try and get you an identification in a few weeks when our taxonomist is back in down. Like all bees in the Family Megachilidae, their offspring are either in those mud mounds, or in the water-draining exit holes on the furniture. Getting rid of them will be tricky, as when the bees emerge next year they will try and nest in the same place. As you know, they are not aggressive. But if they are really unwelcome, knock all the nests out now that the adults have died (i.e., there is not a colony of bee inside, they are a solitary bees). This should interrupt the cycle.
Best,
Andony
They are related to mason bees, which you can tell because they are carrying pollen on their abdomens rather than on their legs. I can try and get you an identification in a few weeks when our taxonomist is back in down. Like all bees in the Family Megachilidae, their offspring are either in those mud mounds, or in the water-draining exit holes on the furniture. Getting rid of them will be tricky, as when the bees emerge next year they will try and nest in the same place. As you know, they are not aggressive. But if they are really unwelcome, knock all the nests out now that the adults have died (i.e., there is not a colony of bee inside, they are a solitary bees). This should interrupt the cycle.
Best,
Andony
Hi Andony -
Thank you for the response! I would like to get an id when the taxonomist returns, mostly for curiosity. While they weren't aggressive, they didn't like having us around and would definitely fly at us. It's a little disconcerting! I'll give some thought to my discomfort vs the good I know they do.
Thanks,
Diane
From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Monday, June 3, 2024 1:40:48 PM
To: Diane Rogers <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: What kind of bees are these and how can I discourage them next year? (#0140717)
Sent: Monday, June 3, 2024 1:40:48 PM
To: Diane Rogers <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: What kind of bees are these and how can I discourage them next year? (#0140717)
