Melittobia acasta entering a sealed Red Mason bee cavity- video
Melittobia acasta is a parasitoid of solitary bees When I saw this, I was amazed at the tiny size of the gap that this determined parasitoid wasp was in entering the mud sealed nesting cavity of a Red Mason (Osmia bicornis) bee. If left unchecked it and its offspring...
Where can I buy neonicotinoid free and Organic flowers for my bees?
In 2014 I wrote an article, How friendly are bee friendly plants from garden centres? Like many people when I buy plants I want them to be neonicotinoid free and therefore truly bee and pollinator friendly. My fears were borne out in some recent research (May 2017) by...
Nurturing Nature presenting and demonstrating at RHS Harlow Carr Bee Weekend 3-4 June 2017
Naturing Nature attending the Bee Weekend RHS Harlow Carr 3-4 June 2017 “I contacted George about supporting our Bee weekend at RHS Garden Harlow Carr. I was keen to have a wild bee element to the weekend as well as honey bees and beekeeping. George was not only...
Talking about Garden Wild Bees at Daylesford Organic Farm
Summer Festival Daylesford Organic Farm The Daylesford Summer Festival has fast become a highlight of our year. A day that sees our COTSWOLDS FARM come to life with stalls, workshops, debates, crafts, dog show, sheep dog demonstrations, singing, dancing and of course...
The pest controller is coming to kill the bees for £60
The pest controller is coming to kill the bees I was called out to this address, 2nd May, late morning, to suggest what to do with an active bee nest in the garden. It was in an area which was to be part of a lawn, with the whole garden about to be landscaped. The...
‘InvitaBee’ Osmia & Leafcutter bee species USDA patented attractant
New to the UK.......Osmia Mason Bee and Leafcutter Bee Attractant I am proud to announce that I may be the first company in the UK to sell this attractant, along with the 'Humidibee' safe cocoon storage box, both especially imported here in my quest to increase our...
WasteBuster wormery with flowers, a bumblebee and a butterfly
Bumblebee, butterfly and flowers. What have they to do with a WasteBuster wormery? From this...... This was a team effort by pupils and staff at Lyminge School in Kent - the children came up with the designs. The adults then drew them onto the wormery and painted it...
Ptinus sexpunctatus listed as a natural enemy of Red mason bees
Ptinus sexpunctatus 6 spotted spider beetle not a welcome visitor to Red Mason bee nests! I found several of these beetles when cleaning out an orchard solitary bee nest box, containing Red mason and leafcutter bees. I do not know how they arrive whether they fly in...
Easter eggs and easter cocoons 2017
Easter Blue tit eggs and easter Red mason bee cocoons I hope the Blue tits fare better this year than last year 2016 I notice that this female has found a tennis ball as the female did last year! I wonder if it is the same female or even the same tennis ball? Easter...
Solitary bees by Ted Benton
New Solitary Bees book Before writing the review, I asked Ted why he wrote the book bearing in mind he is better known for his bumblebee work and this was his reply: Since early childhood I've lived a passionate engagement with wildlife - often focussing on the small...