Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Backyard Birding => Topic started by: Axeman on March 13, 2012, 06:22:16 PM

Title: Honey Bees and Feeders
Post by: Axeman on March 13, 2012, 06:22:16 PM

I've noticed that honey bees seem to be very attracted to one of my feeders...and I'm wondering if they're attracted to the food or are thinking it might make a good nest ? It's one of those rectangle feeders -- 4 openings at bottom. They fly in and scamper on the seed spreading it outside.

Anyone else observe this ?

Title: Re: Honey Bees and Feeders
Post by: Rob'in'To on March 16, 2012, 07:55:53 AM

Nope, not me.  But that would make sense with them possibly looking to make a hive.

I get them and wasps all over my Oriole feeders for obvious reasons.

And wasps have made nests in a few of my bird houses which I've had to take down and knock them out.  Not fun.

Title: Re: Honey Bees and Feeders
Post by: Axeman on March 17, 2012, 08:39:03 PM

I've had a chance to observe them a little closer and notice they seem to be digging in the seed.

Title: Re: Honey Bees and Feeders
Post by: Halton Hills on March 17, 2012, 09:21:04 PM

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I guess it's possible there could be some pollen mixed in with the seed......or perhaps some of the seed is secreting something edible to the bees.

With the unusual warmth the bees very active quite a bit earlier than normal......I'm sure they are having a tough go of it with the lack of flowers.

Also......are you absolutely sure they are Honey Bees?

I thought if possible they could be hornets or something else.....and maybe they are preying on moth larvae that's in your seed mix.



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Title: Re: Honey Bees and Feeders
Post by: Axeman on March 25, 2012, 08:02:42 PM

I'm 100 percent certain they were honey bees...I got a close look at them. They were also swarming a table saw that the guys doing reno's on our house were using.

That said, they haven't been around now for a few days....

It's weird the honey bees were out and not the black flies...there were a few mosquitoes...just that if there is a cold snap the bees could die but the stupid flies and skeeters would survive.