Bees

There are many types of Bees with colonies ranging in size. Bees pollinate flowers and plants. The most commonly seen in the UK are Bumble Bees, Honey Bees, Solitary Bees and Mason Bees.

Bees are beneficial to our environment and some species such as the Honey Bee are under attack by the Varroa Mite, which has destroyed most wild Bees with only Bee Keepers safeguarding remaining colonies. The natural habitat of the Bumble Bee continues to disappear, with a significant decline in recent decades.

Appearance

Bumble Bees
Often confused with Honey Bees, the Bumble Bee is larger, furrier and is dark coloured except for golden stripes across the end of their tails.

Honey Bees
These are kept by Bee Keepers, although they also live in the wild. They are similar in size to Wasps but are furrier and mostly black in colour.

Solitary Bees
Solitary Bees look similar to Honey Bees and often nest near each other but, as the name implies live alone.

Habitat

Bumble Bees
They nest in wall cavities, holes in the ground, under sheds or in undisturbed compost heaps.

Honey Bees
When not kept in tended beehives Honey Bees nest in the wild in hollow trees, in chimneys, wall cavities or roof spaces.

Solitary Bees
Solitary Bees can tunnel in sandy soil, soft mortar or use domestic air bricks to nest in. They do not swarm and are not aggressive.

Mason Bees
Several species of Bee nest in crevices or holes in masonry and are collectively known as Mason or Mortar Bees. They are often found in walls that receive sunshine for much of the day and are most common in the southern Britain. They use naturally occurring holes in bricks or mortar joints (especially mortar with a high lime or sand content). Mason Bees are harmless, they are not aggressive and will not attack.