A lot of buzzing going on, bees

[Polarengineer]

Their urine is highly regarded in the automotive industry.

We used to call that Watneys ale.

[Bayleaf]

A swarm caught early in the year will repay the beekeeper with honey, but a swarm caught in July will probably produce no honey to spare and may even need feeding in late autumn to give it the resources to survive the winter.

Oh well, let's think of it as an investment for future years!

[Hotrodder]

We have had noticeably fewer bees and butterflies this year. Don't know why after a frost free winter, maybe too much constant rain, or maybe the hornet nest in our chimney.

[Oldblueraincoat]

Lots of Bees in the garden yesterday - not to sure about the big black one looks like the Darth Vader of bee's.

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[Blaze]

The black ones are Carpenter bees (Xylocopes) which are harmless though they can sting if provoked.

[Lori]

The black ones are Carpenter bees

Aren't those the ones that eat holes into anything made of wood ? They can be very destructive.

[ajm]

Caroenter bees usually burrow into dead woid so not a lot of damage done

[Lori]

Caroenter bees usually burrow into dead woid so not a lot of damage done

Not at our house in the USA. They ate huge holes in a gorgeous wood deck (that was only a few years old, so not at all rotting). They apparently burrow into the holes they made in Summer to leave their 'young' (I forget what they're called) during Winter to return in full force in Spring/Summer to continue feasting on your expensive project. And the wood was treated too, so I would have thought they wouldn't like the taste.. Not so. They returned EVERY single year.

[Blaze]

A good article about Carpenter Bees ...
https://mypestpros.com/pest-control-tip ... -eat-wood/

[RobertArthur]

Finally an apiculteur, number 4, who after inspection was willing to give it a try. With Swiss precision he arrived here Friday evening. The structure of the huge nest, already there for almost 2 months, was rather rigid, wax already solidified. Estimated population: about 30,000 to 40,000. After using magic smoke - dry and fresh grass - from the outside they started cutting slices from the inside. They also succeeded in saving the queen. The honeycombs went into a special ruchette de transport (room for twelve). Two hours later the job was finished much to our relief.