Hi

My Queen palms are in flower and it attracts gazillions of honeybees lol Have noted they are active down into the 40's

One that fascinates me are what I know as "Sweat Bees" Look like honey bees but are a shiny green color . Masters of flight incredible how long they can hover in one place . They seem attracted to Basil even though it's not in flower. I think they are a solitary type?? Maybe they're just honey bees with a new set of clothes? lol gary

I love the sweat bees and also the syrphid flies. There are some really pretty native bees, but I read they aren't good pollinators. I wonder who pollinated the food and flowers before they brought over European honey bees?

I remember the hordes of honeybees on queen palm blossoms. Then one year, they were just all gone. It was so sad.

There is a hive in a tree next door to me. Yesterday the hive was swarming and thousands of bees came and attached to a tree in my yard. I was so excited because I wanted a hive in my yard. Unfortunately, they didn't like the new location and they moved on The branch wounldnt have supported the hive anyway as it was swaying in the wind. They sound of them swarming is amazing.

My next door neighbor in North Port had a hive in his wall. Those were the ones I think who used to swarm my palm flowers. He tried and tried to get someone to remove them, but couldn't find anyone, so he had them killed. We both stood outside almost in tears as they sprayed the poison into the wall. Then I saw one, then two, then three bees escape and fly into my oak tree. I never knew if they lived or not. I hope so.

I called the Lee County Extension when I had my first hive in the eaves of my house. They have a list of bee keepers. I've had 6 hives removed, so they must like us! Actually, they told me we are on a migration path and they just stopped and set up house here.

I had an exterior false wall full of bees. I thought it was bee poop on the wall, but it was honey oozing through it! Took the bee keeper a couple of months to extract the bees, let scavengers clean out the area, and finally seal up that wall. I haven't had any hives since then, about 5 years now.

Anyway - try the county AG extension to find a bee keeper. Maybe they can help with a referral.

FWIW, I understand native bees - mostly solitary types - are more efficient pollinators than honeybees...

I am an avid organic gardener in the hope of attracting bees and butterflies. Living in NY all my life my gardens were swarming with honey bees and various other pollinators.

Since moving to Florida four years ago, I have yet to see a honey bee. My gardens are pollinator friendly and I have lots of butterflies but worry about the lack of honey bees. I do have wasps but can't identify them.

Where can I locate information about native bees and wasps in Florida. I live in Sarasota. It so troubles me that my neighbors use so many chemicals on their beautiful lawns and trees. I walk the dog and won't let her walk on any property because they are full of orange flags saying pesticide has been put down.

Houses are close together and what the neighbors spray surely affects my property.

Anyway, if anyone knows a link to local bees/wasps I would greatly appreciate it.

Jane