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- compost bin bees!
Posted by Jim on July 22, 2008, 12:03:55
Why do bumble bees like to gather at my compost bin when I turn the compost? They seem to like to land on the fresh material that I pull out from the bottom.
I was pulling from the bin today and a few showed up... I came back to get more about 10 minutes later and about 15 more showed up. They were not very angry with me and seemed to be busy landing on the compost I pulled from the bottom. Eentually a couple began to dive at me.
These are the "Bumble" type- medium\ big fuzzy and fairly friendly.
However, I would like them to leave me alone when I pull my compost. Anyone else had this problem?
- Re: compost bin bees!
Posted by Joe K on July 22, 2008, 17:46:28, in reply to "compost bin bees! "
I would guess that they are eating or using something in your compost. Sounds like a good sign to me! Unless they bite but if they don't then I would not worry about them. - Re: compost bin bees!
Posted by Jc on July 22, 2008, 17:47:55, in reply to "compost bin bees! "
Follow up- I think there may be a small nest of the Bumbles somplace in the compost. duh.
After another inspection and further excavation of my compost more and more bees showed up... they were pretty calm overall and I was able to get all the compost I needed.
I'll let them live here as long as they work on the garden for me. And as long as they don't mind me heaping about 4 cubic yards of Fall leaves onto them in 2 months.
I was taken by how tolerant they were of me.
- bees are good
Posted by LK on July 23, 2008, 22:02:39, in reply to "Re: compost bin bees! "
are there fruit peelings in the compost ? Bees could be attracted to that. there are ground wasps that might be nesting. i don't like these as well as honey bees.
Look at kinds of bees on google and you might find an answer.
L - Re: bees are good
Posted by JC on July 25, 2008, 23:33:28, in reply to "bees are good "
Yes, I looked up these particular Bees_ they are the big old fashioned Bumble Bee type. They were described as rather slow moving "friendly" Bees.
They frequently "nest" in compost bins and their hives are rather small compared to noney bees or wasps. The do not over-winter their hives and they produce little or no wax in the hive. The hives reamin generally low in numbers compared to other types of bees.
They can and do sting (or bite) but are mainly VERY MUCH non agressive. Thankfully.
They are highly effective pollenators but since they keep small hives they are not commercially cultivated for the task. However, if you have them in your garden it's a good deal.
Ground wasps \ yellow jackets may seek out old bumble bee homes if they are located below grade- which my compost is not.
Aside from helping out my flowers and veggies they also contribute to the compost bin. The holes and tunnels they make provide oxygen to the interior on the pile adding speed to the process.
I made about 3 complete cubic yards of compost within 10 months. That was pretty quick considering I don't turn the pile. So, perhaps they are helping me out.
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