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MARLEY’S TUNNEL 2019

Discussion in 'Poly-Tunnel Gardening' started by Marley Farley, May 17, 2013.

Page 12 of 13
  1. Nikolaos

    Nikolaos Total Gardener

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    They sound like very placid creatures @Marley Farley, it would probably take a lot of provocation or absent mindedness for them to sting you or anyone else in the tunnel. Even if you were stung it seems the sting is almost imperceptible, but it sounds like an incredibly rare occurrence anyway! Perhaps the best approach would be to view it as a fascinating and relatively novel wildlife habitat? :):dunno:

    Bees in my poly tunnel - Home & Garden Discussions - Brittany

    Might be a good idea to inform some sort of wildlife association about them tho, if only for recording purposes. They may have some tips on how to harmoniously coexist with them. :smile:

    Nick
     
    Nikolaos, Sep 18, 2019
    #166 Quote in Conversation
  2. Nikolaos

    Nikolaos Total Gardener

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    Well, I'm really confused now! That link I just posted said "A beekeeper won't be able to help because they're not honey bees and there's no real way to gather them together."

    But this pest control company claims: "When our technician arrived, he identified that they were bees and not wasps and called in one of the local beekeepers to the site. They responded and went out later that day and placed some food and items downs to encourage them into a box, so these could be taken away for a honey nest."

    Bees impersonating as Wasps | Abate

    Typical internet! :wallbanging::heehee:

    At least it's further evidence of their 'docility'...

    Nick
     
    Nikolaos, Sep 18, 2019
    #167 Quote in Conversation
  3. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    @Nikolaos they are not a honey bee and do not swarm and no they are not interested in honey or hives as a local bee keeper has tried that today... Theybare harmless and very placid.. This afternoon I cut a load of ivy branches some in flower but mostly buds and put outside the tunnel to try and entice them out.. I think it’s working a bit.. Will look again later..
     
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      Marley Farley, Sep 18, 2019
      #168 Quote in Conversation
    • Jenny namaste

      Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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      I'm loving this thread @marley,
      Jenny
       
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        Jenny namaste, Sep 19, 2019
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      • Redwing

        Redwing Wild Gardener

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        I agree, very interesting development.
         
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          Redwing, Sep 19, 2019
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        • Marley Farley

          Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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          Hmm well the ivy enticed some out but still loads in there.. Thinking I might have a go at smoking them out later perhaps.. Very puzzling, but I really don't want them mining in the tunnel..!
           
          Marley Farley, Sep 19, 2019
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        • Marley Farley

          Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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          Well I think there are even more in my tunnel today!!:yikes:
           
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            Marley Farley, Sep 19, 2019
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          • Steve R

            Steve R Soil Furtler

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            Hi Marley,

            No doubt you have probably already found this page and read it, but in case you have not, here it is.

            3 Simple (but Effective) Ways to Get Rid of Ground Bees Naturally - Pest Wiki

            And the point of interest starts about halfway down the page under the title..

            1. Prevention Works Best

            I like the increase watering idea, might not be so attractive in the tunnel for them then..no idea, just offering something!

            Steve...:)

            [Edit]
            Maybe setting up a garden sprinkler in there, retreat to safe distance and turn it on?
             
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              Steve R, Sep 19, 2019
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            • Marley Farley

              Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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              @Steve R youvare a star. I have been trawling internet and not found much but I am constantly wetting the ground down in there and that is helping. Not seeing them burrow in tunnel but am in next doors veg patch!
              Ok off to read your link Steve. Thanks so much for this as it is the strangest thing.
               
              Marley Farley, Sep 19, 2019
              #174 Quote in Conversation
            • Marley Farley

              Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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              Well I have red. The links and found others too. I don’t eat to kill them as they only fly for 3 short months.
              I am just constantly wetting the ground down and have wet the outside p
              Of the tunnel too and slowly slowly theybade going, but there are also many corpses on the ground now. If I have understood it right these are males after they have mated with the females. A bit spooky as I don’t want them to make burrows in the tunnel as this time next year it could be unbelievable in there!!! :hate-shocked: They can burrow a metre down to lay the eggs!!!!!
               
              Marley Farley, Sep 19, 2019
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            • Marley Farley

              Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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              I kid you not when I say there are hundreds and hundreds in there. Very docile for a bee and no sting!! They were a bit cross when I was wetting the tunnel first thing this morning and they were landing on me and my face but no stings. I feel mean but it surely must be meaner not getting them out. Try will starve if I don’t. So keeping up the water regime now.
              They are everywhere in the tunnel and all over the sides but can’t get descent pics except when they gather like this. The tunnel has a hum you can hear outside it!
              [​IMG] [​IMG]

              [​IMG]

              [​IMG]

              [​IMG]
               
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                Marley Farley, Sep 19, 2019
                #176 Quote in Conversation
              • BellaBlue

                BellaBlue Gardener

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                Last edited: Sep 19, 2019
                BellaBlue, Sep 19, 2019
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              • Jenny namaste

                Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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                interesting - how they seem to be drawn to the metal structure ?
                 
                Jenny namaste, Sep 20, 2019
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              • Marley Farley

                Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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                It is strange @Jenny namaste i agree with you as the metal is obviously cooler. I think wetting the floor down every few hrs is certainly having a good effect so will be keeping that up.
                I have never had anything like this in all the years my tunnel has been there @BellaBlue
                 
                Marley Farley, Sep 20, 2019
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              • Redwing

                Redwing Wild Gardener

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                Ivy bees are active from September through November. As they are a mining bee, I wonder if eggs were laid in your tunnel last year and they have recently hatched from inside the tunnel....just a thought. I know little of ivy bees.
                 
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                  Redwing, Sep 20, 2019
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                Page 12 of 13
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