This summer we had a family/swarm/hive of bees make their home under the cement floor of our garage. They made their way in through a crack in the foundation. DH discovered them while mowing the grass when one bit him on the leg.
We're not sure how many there are or what they are doing in there but there has been a lot of activity during the summer. There are two sizes of bees, the larger ones are at least an inch and a quarter in length.
Recently we noticed that the larger ones have made holes is the ground in the area and it looks like they are planning to go underground for winter. Today the temperature has dropped and I don't see any activity but I expect I will if and when it warms up again.
Our dilemma is what to do about them as we have two small grandkids running around. If they were wasps I wouldn't hesitate to exterminate them but for some reason I like bees and appreciate what they contribute in aiding pollination.
Does anyone have any experience with bees and know what they are doing in the ground. Will they soon be dormant or would they be aroused if someone walked over the ground they've buried into? Do they probably have a hive inside the foundation and will be even more plentiful in the spring?
We had a similar experience about 10 years ago when we noticed bees flying around our basement. We finally discovered they built a hive inside a closet that backed onto the outside wall. DH donned coverall, gloves and a hat with netting and removed it with a garbage bag. It was full of honey or whatever the juicy first stage stuff is called. He had to Raid the ones that escaped into the house. Meanwhile I stayed outside! :)
They had gotten in through a tiny hole around the oil filler pipe which was under the deck so we didn't notice their coming and going. DH filled the hole but the bees persisted in trying to get back in for quite awhile.
Anyway I love to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience and what did you do about it.
Mavia...who is nervous of anything black with yellow strips that buzzes!