Bees

Honey Bees

Swarms are difficult to treat and a beekeeper may be the best option. Beekeepers will only collect bees from accessible places and a charge may be made to cover their expenses. The British Beekeepers Association has some useful information on bees, please see the link on the right.
Honey bees are small and fawn coloured and normally not at ground level.

Bumble Bees

The hairy type, either big or small, will normally nest in holes in the ground or sheds, etc, at ground level. They will generally, spend winter in their nests and emerge the following year. They are beneficial to gardens.
The honey bee and bumble bee are rapidly declining in numbers. A mite is killing the honey bee and it is thought that changing agricultural practices are killing off the bumble bee. Both honey and bumble bees are good for the environment.

Solitary Mining Bees

Found in gardens, apparent by a large number of 'bore-like' holes in soil early on in the year. The bees live as an individual and the holes will go down approx 15cm and contain their larvae. They are beneficial and are not able to sting.

Masonry Bees

Similar to above but use small cracks/faults in brickwork. They cannot damage/bore into modern mortar. Again, there is very little treatment that can be done, as they are solitary and will disappear before summer.