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Can anyone give any suggestions to help explain about why, earlier this week, my grass was covered in bees? They were not the thin ones but chubby bees that looked like 'bumble bees' although seemed to be slightly smaller. The weather was mild and dry, but every step I took I had to play a game of hopscotch. They seemed to be creeping into the grass but in parts there were the tiny petals of the early blossom.
I also have quite a supply of clover in the grass, which, when it starts to flower (later in the year) I leave uncut apart from a pathway through the middle. It made me wonder if they may be looking for the clover a little too early.
Haven't seen any for the last three days. How strange!

sounds like they've just come out of dormancy

many species of bees have underground hives

ive seen 4 different species of bees in the last week or so

Thanks Jabber. Would that possibly mean they may have hives within the garden?
Don't know much about bees and it's confusing when trying to identify them.

We have bumble bees visiting our bedroom window most mornings since about a week ago. They also did this last year and the year before. The difference has been this last week, we can't leave a window open as at least 4 or 5 will be inside and will sit on the curtains. They are the biggest bees I have ever seen, and so LOUD!!

We did find a hole in the brickwork of the house, about as big as a drainpipe and they were often seen flying in and out last year, but I can't locate them this year. There is a large tree in blossom outside and they are completely covering it.

bee careful

I read a thing ages ago about bees and there are solitary bees which make their own singular nests, up til then I'd always thought they were always in swarms. Just coming out of dormancy is probably the best bet, hope there are no sudden cold snaps to see them off. Apparently there is something amongst the bees, some sort of mite, varoa mites I think, which is causing havoc and if it gets a real big grip we are in trouble because the bees pollinate just about everything. Little things we think of but they turn out to have huge consequences when things go wrong.

Had a search on internet which tells us that there are over 200 species of Bumblebees.
It would appear, these that are out early are the Queens and gathering pollen for to feed their young in the nests when they hatch. They then stay in the nests and wait for the other bees to do the work.
I think I have got that correct. If not I'm sure someone will tell me.
Thanks for your replies. Bees are very interesting little creatures. Must watch them more this summer and as you say Bandy, if they disappear more, who knows what will happen. I do believe that nature eventually adjusts accordingly tho' and regenerates at some point in some amazing way.

My friend is a beekeeper.On sunny days his bees have been out of the hive quite a few times these last few weeks. Bees will feed on clover, so good that you leave some of it uncut.Heather honey is very good, so beekeepers sometimes leave hives near heather moors.

There is a world-wide bee problem and so a lack of honey.
If bees do not leave hives and pollinate we will be in trouble.

New Zealand Manuka Honey has many health benefits and heals wounds.It's about £9 a jar available at some local supermarkets.
Local honey containing local pollen can help reduce the symptoms of hay fever.
Most honeys contain a naturally occurring active agent, which is thought to support good health but is easily destroyed when exposed to heat and light. Manuka honey contains an extra, naturally occurring active ingredient, which makes it distinct from other honeys. This additional component is stable and doesn't lose its potency when exposed to heat, light or dilution. Its special quality is known as UMF and the higher the UMF, the more potent the honey and its powers (aficionados reckon that you need a UMF of 10 or higher for the honey to be properly effective). It has antiviral and antibacterial actions, which is a good excuse for scoffing the stuff neat at the first sign of a cold or sore throat.

Most people who buy Manuka honey simply put it on their toast or in their tea, but where it really comes into its own is in treating wounds. In New Zealand, it has long been used in this way and studied extensively. Now, the NHS is doing the same.

According to doctors, Manuka honey's high sugar content creates a waterless environment in which the bacteria that are infecting a wound are unable to survive. Also, thanks to the presence of an enzyme called glucose oxidase, it is acidic, which apparently adds to its unique antibacterial properties.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/wellbeing/5979247/The-benefits-of-Manuka-honey.html

Very interesting Paaxvo, and thanks.

It's surprising, that many old fashioned remedies for ailments, contained honey. Another thing is the sugar and soap poultice, used for cuts and septic wounds.Obviously the honey would work so much better.
The motto here must be ' save the bees and always have a jar of honey'
An Australian told us to have a tablesoon of honey everyday, to keep us in good health. That would be the proper honey, not massed produced Gales stuff. Lets help the bees.

http://www.helpsavebees.co.uk/to_do_list.html

Bees !!!

I would of ran

So scared of bees and wasps

Sarah, bees don't sting unless they are threatened, because they only have one sting, which disembowels them, Don't flap if they come near because they will slowly fly off again.
Now wasps are very different....don't like them much, nasty little blighters when they get fed up.

Never knew that about bees hun thanks for that

Got stung last year by a wasp on my bottom of foot!

Did I cry lol

Anyone interested in Bees & Bee Keeping, there are events all the year round at Thornton Hough & a number of other local locations.

http://www.cheshire-bka.co.uk/Branch/Wirral.php

Best honey i ever tasted was from Sudan,Africa. I only had a teaspoon and learnt the true meaning of a sugar rush!
Anybody seen Bee Movie? Cracking film, we love it.

No, but I have seen 'The Sting'...

Paul Newman & Robert Redford. Classic!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070735/