Bees in the pavement?

20 years ago

Last year we got very useful information from you all about how to identify and deal with wasps that were nesting in our pool shed (we waited til night and just threw the nests into the woods and removed the remnants, this worked fine). Anyway, we have a new problem as of yesterday. We've noticed a number of what look like bumblebees, except smaller, at one particular spot around the pool -- of course, it's the MOST traveled spot, right in front of the steps! -- and as we watch they land on the pavement and crawl into a crack of the pavement. I've never heard of bees making nests in pavement. They don't seem particularly aggressive, we were just sitting on the steps watching them and they pretty much ignored us, although I had the impression the longer we sat there, the more bees gathered.

If they are bees, as they seem to be, I certainly don't want to kill them, we plant so many things in our yard to ATTRACT them (although there aren't any bee-attracting plants in the immediate area where we've seen these bees). But we can't have them buzzing around right where people get into the pool! Especially where they could easily be stepped on. And could they be some kind of wasp that just looks like a bee? Sorry for my ignorance, but I know there are many experts here at the forum.

Any ideas about what these insects might be, and how we might just discourage them from going to this particular place? For example, anything organic we could spray into the crack? It's the joint of a pavement square where some of the wooden divider has come out (I know that's not a very good description, but I hope you'll know what I mean.) Thank you so much for any suggestions you might have!

Featured Answer

squeeze

20 years ago

there's a large number of ground dwelling bees/wasps that would love that situation - the pavers provide a nice dry shelter from rapid temperature changes, and no doubt were set on compacted sand, easy to dig in - they just happened to find the open crack and moved in - there are a number of species that look very bumble bee-like, and bumble bees themselves are ground dwellers - most are not as aggressive as say, yellow jackets, but many are actually of the wasp family - predators

you need to plug up the crack, preferably at night when they're inside so none come back and find another way in - if you can't replace the wood try some kind of caulking compound

Bill

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Comments (6)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
20 years ago
Looking like bumble bees? In what way? How much smaller? As small as yellow jackets?
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layneev
Original Author
20 years ago
Sorry I didn't get back here over the weekend, thanks so much for the information! Always so much to learn. These are yellow and black like bumblebees, and maybe about two thirds the size, but not as fat and buzzy as the really big bumblebees. We'll try to put some calking down there. So far we only see four or five at a time, so maybe we can nip it before it gets to be TOO popular a spot. We have all kinds of wasps and bees (and other insects, for that matter) around here at one time or another, it's amazing how many kinds there are and how many different ways of dealing with them, none of which we would have known except for the experts at gardenweb. Thanks again so much for the advice, it's really appreciated.
whitejade
20 years ago
We have had bees living under our front steps now for 12 years (bumble bee-like but smaller, just like yours) ...with no problems in terms of aggressiveness. They are really good to have around IMO and even if we are there sweeping and spook them, they are not aggressive.

We also have huge bumblebees around who are non-aggressive and plenty of regular honey bees. So far we are all dealing very peacefully with one another ....
gw:melanie-germany
20 years ago
I have wasps or bees or something that have done a similar thing. They have found a hole in a wall of our house next to our steps. I think I watched about 10 of them go in but I never saw any come out. I guess they would have to have another way out. But this bothers me because what if they are wasps. I have 3 small boys, and yet I don't mind having them if they are bees. But I'm too scared to get close enough to tell.

My neighbors all tell me that the bees around here are non-aggressive, but last year, when I was deadheading some roses, I had a bee chase me away. SO, I tend to be a little on the timid side with them. Also, one of my boys got stung just a month or so after moving in here, also last year. So, where are all the NON-aggressive bees that all my neighbors are talking about. I know we do have TONS of bumble bees, and they don't seem to bother anyone. So, that's great, but I still don't know what to do about the wasps/bees under the stairs.

surely, if they are wasps, and you go in and remove the nest at night while they are sleeping, they would wake up and attack, wouldn't they? How do you go about this?

Thanks,
Melanie
HU-64010675
5 years ago
I have wasps in a crack in my concrete patio too. We have tried using almost boiling water and Dawn dish soap, a solution I found online. We have doused the crack opening twice but they are still there. I am allergic so we need to remove the nest - it is right beside where we sit. Any idea what type of wasp it would be, and how to get rid of it so it doesn't come back? Here in the Toronto area, late August to October the wasps are out full force around garbage bins and food...so though they are not bothering us too much right now, I know they will get bad soon...HELP! Thank you!!!