Comments on: Leaf Cutter Bee

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:47:59 +0000

George, I would suggest the the best thing to do is enjoy the company of these fascinating creatures. They are not at all aggressive and unless seriously provoced are extremelely unlikely to cause you harm. I would suggest that you seek out the nest of one of these solitary creatures and marvel at the skill that they employ to make it. I work in propery maintenance and have only seen these nests in woodwork that is already in need of repair.

By: Richard Cox

Richard Cox — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 08:01:20 +0000

For my birthday in September three years ago, I was given a bee house that was and is still sold at garden centres, it has 24 square holes. The first summer no bees showed any interest in it, year two we were sitting in the garden and we noticed a bee going into one of the holes. thought the day this bee keep coming back and was now bring in bits of leafs which we watch him cut from some of our flower plants in the garden. By the end of the second summer nine of the holes were completely filled up and four had what looked like something trying to fill them. In spring of year three we were hopeful that a bee may come out of one of the holes, but nothing happen. Now we are in July of year three and the bees are active again with most of the holes now filled up. What I would like to know is, is the bee just storing nectar or is this a nest where we would find a lava grub?

By: Ann

Ann — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 15:03:50 +0000

Another remarkable feature of these bees is what they do with the segments of leaf they cut from your prize roses! We recently spotted a bee carrying a piece of leaf and disappearing into a hole in an exposed rafter. On examination we discovered that the wood was rotten and had numerous tunnels bored into it. Stacked end to end inside the tunnels were dozens of tube shaped leaf parcels. These looked like small cigars, were meticulously sealed at the end with a circular piece of leaf, and inside each was a small grub lying on a puddle of gloop which I guess was nectar and/or pollen. An amazing feat of engineering and construction by the bee – just bad news for our rafters!

By: george

george — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:57:30 +0000

ive got a swarm of leaf cutters living in my lawn ,would like to know how to get rid of them,its a bit of an inconvenience,as we cant sit at front in the sunshine while they are buzzing around,so if any one can help me it would be gratefully appreciated thanks george england

By: Joanne chard

Joanne chard — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:00:55 +0000

Hi there, i posted over a year ago, July 2009…well those little bee nests i’d discovered in the little holes in my wall hatched earlier this year, i could actually see the new little bee inside for a while, as it had made a little hole in the front of the nest,..if i put my finger near the entrance it retreated further back into it’s hole. then one day the holes were…well, holes again, empty. But with in days they were bunged back up with leaves , and once again waiting to hatch next year. I didn’t get round to making that little bee nest, maybe next year! PS Dante (24th August) i liked your story about the bee licking your leg, and how you stared at each other and if you are anything like me there was an attempt at a conversation too! ???

By: Dante

Dante — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:52:50 +0000

I have had a charming meeting with a small bee. I was sitting in the garden wearing shorts, with my knees up in front of me. The bee landed on the curve of my knee, and we sat watching each other for some minutes. It had short, stubby wings, and vertical ovoid eyes. After a while it uncoiled its snake-like tongue, and began licking my knee. After salt?

Then it went peacefully on its way.

By: Val Dexter

Val Dexter — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:45:13 +0000

I have a leaf cutter bee nesting in my porch. When I first spotted it, I thought it was a bee with green markings instead of yellow. Now I have photographed it and blown it up I can see it is a bee carrying a leaf. Very interesting little bee.

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:34:59 +0000

It’s great to hear about all your experiences and that you view these little chaps with a friendly eye despite the “lace-work”! We haven’t seen any this year though they are clearly around elsewhere this season (our wisteria leaves are still whole and unchewed!) RHJ – I can’t pretend to be an expert so I don’t know about the wasps – may I suggest you search the internet and see what you find…and perhaps post a note for all of us?

By: Richard Hugh Jones

Richard Hugh Jones — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:05:21 +0000

I have a mini hive for leaf cutter bees, and I notice wasps making an entry. Do they do any damage.? RHJ

By: Teresa Quantrill

Teresa Quantrill — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:26:03 +0000

I have a back yard to my house in a built up terraced area. It is covered in netting to keep my cats in but I cut holes in it so as the bees do not get trapped (and have an easy eacape route from the furries!). I have around 28 plants out there and was curious to why I had half circles cut out. By chance today I met my new ‘friend’ the leaf eating Bee. He has been back about 10 times, he cuts the leaf withtin seconds flies up to the wall for a minutes rest then goes through the netting to wherever. I thought leaf eating ants were interesting but the Bees take it to a new level. Do I need to get out more!!