Been getting a lot of messages lately about “bees” nesting in bird boxes or under eaves — here’s what’s (probably) going on:

If you’ve noticed a cluster of bees setting up home in your birdbox, compost heap, or somewhere awkward like the eaves of your shed or house, chances are you’re hosting bumblebees, not honeybees.

Here’s a quick visual guide to help ID what you’re seeing:

Bumblebees – Big, round, and hairy. Usually black with yellow stripes, sometimes with white or orange bums. Very gentle and rarely sting unless really threatened. Common to find them in bird boxes or small cavities this time of year.

Honeybees – Slimmer, golden-brown, and live in large colonies. If you see a huge cluster or swarm hanging from a tree or wall, that’s probably them.

Wasps – Shiny and smooth, with vivid black and yellow stripes. More likely to be aggressive and build papery nests in lofts, sheds, or wall voids.

What should you do? If they’re not causing a danger, the best option is to leave them be. Bumblebee nests naturally die off by late summer and don’t return to the same spot next year.

If the location is dangerous (e.g., inside the house, close to a high-traffic doorway), it’s best to contact a pest controller. Sadly, bumblebee nests can’t really be relocated like honeybee swarms can.

If you want more detail, I’ve written a blog answering common questions about bumblebee behaviour, nest removal, and ID tips: https://www.mysttree.com/post/s3-e7-bumblebee-faqs

Hope this helps someone avoid accidentally evicting the good guys!

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