BEE NEIGHBOURLY

What to do when bees, and other winged visitors, move into your garden

BUMBLEBEES If you’ve found a nest of bees in a bird box, under the decking or in your compost heap, chances are they’re bumblebees. They’re important pollinators, so, if you can, leave their nest alone and they’ll die out at the end of the summer, causing no further problems. For more information, go to bumblebeeconservation.org.

SOLITARY BEES Seen small, black bees with reddish-brown bottoms popping into gaps in a wall or small holes in the ground? These will be one of Britain’s 225 species of solitary bee. Where possible, leave them alone. These industrious insects pose no threat to you and their numbers will naturally reduce over the summer. For more details, go to wildlifetrusts.org.

WASPS AND HORNETS A wasp or hornet’s nest is not something you want in your garden. Find out more about them at bwars.com, where you can also log your sighting. Contact a local pest controller to remove it.