Native bees in Brisbane live in colonies and require safe enclosed areas to set up their Native bee colony. In Brisbane, native bees are often found in water meters and irrigation pits. Junction boxes are also used by Native bees and these are installed around home that have chemical reticulation for termites. Native bees in Brisbane often come and decided to set up in these reticulation boxes which isn’t the best for when a Pest controller needs to pump chemical into the system.

At Brisbane Native bees we remove and rescue Native stingless bees from areas that they are likely to be disturbed. Native bees are small black insect that can be found when opening a water meter or irrigation lid or the Native bees may be noticed when swarming around the area they are nesting.

When Native bees are located in a water meter of irrigation pit the lid should be replaced so as not to further disturb the Native Bees and you can call us at Brisbane Native Bees and we will be able to safely remove and relocated the at risk Native Bees. The Native bees are then monitored over several months to ensure the survival of the relocated colony.

For all Native bee removal and relocation contact us at Brisbane Native bees.

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In Brisbane Native bees are found naturally in hollows of trees and rock retaining walls in nature. Issues occur when they seek alternative nesting sites such as Urban Utility water meters. Native bees are attracted to these water meters due to the colour and perfect environment and size to regulate temperate for their hive.

Native bees are important to the environment and when found in Urban Utility water meters should not be disturbed as can be safely removed and relocated to preserve the Native Bees. Native bees in water meters are and issue as access to tap to turn off water is blocked by the hive workings and the meter cannot be read as the Native bees build over the water meter window.

You will notice the Native Bees as small black flying insects that will be seen entering and exiting the hole in the water meter lid. The native bees will also sometimes be noted in large swarms near the water meter.

At Brisbane Native bees we can safely rescue and relocate Native bees found in Urban Utilities water meters. The bees are relocated to a hive box and removed from site. The water meter should be monitored over time as occasionally the Native bees can return or rebuild.

Contact us for advice and service when you find Native bees in an Urban Utility water meter and we will be happy to offer assistance.

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Native stingless Bees in brickwork of a brick veneer home in Brisbane.

A Colony of native bees have set up in house brickwork via a weep hole and have been there for some time. The homeowner called as the native bees have recently been swarming.

In order to completely remove native bees from a situation where they are in brickwork, invasive and work is required to remove the native bee colony. This can involve removal of brickwork or internal plaster.

In this situation an initial Native Stingless bee eduction will be made at entry point. The eduction method will duplicate the Native bees and over time a second colony will form in the log or hive box connected to the main mother hive. In this situation the mother colony will most likely remain although the current swarming may settle due to the native bees performing work on new found space.

For all Native Stingless Bee Rescue and Removal in Brisbane Contact us at Brisbane Native Bees.

Below is a video showing the Eduction method of Native Bess being used at this home in Brisbane.

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A Native Bee swarm is often the first time people become aware of Native Bees as these swarms can be large and cause alarm. These swarms occur for various reasons and can last from days to weeks.

Reasons for Native Bee swarms can vary. Below are some reasons you may be seeing a Native Bee swarm in action:

Invading Native Bee Swarm

This is when a stronger colony of Native bees attempt to take over a weaker colony. Large amounts of bees can bee seen in the air. The native bees will lock together in battle and you will note hundreds of dead Native bees piled on  the ground close to hive being attacked. The invading swarm of Native Bees have studied the colony they wish to invade before the takeover and they rarely fail. It is a numbers game and the invaded colony usually falls due to lack of numbers to defend.  When taken over the colony and hive become a new stronger hive.

Mating Native Bee Swarm

These are Native bees coming from many outside colonies wanting to mate with a queen. These Native bees are known as Drone bees and can be found hovering and landing at the nest site which contains the virgin queen. At night the drone bees can be seen on tree branches in large clumps. A small amount of dead bees may be present.

 Exploratory Native Bee Swarm

These are seen when Native bees are covering a large area searching and flying horizontally and vertically upon a surface. Often they are noted against a wall of a house. Bees can be seen landing and will often land on darker colours of the house or area they are exploring. If a suitable area is found the Native bees will then colonise that area. A Native Stingless bee exploratory swarm can go on for several weeks. If the Native bees are successful in finding a suitable location to nest the swarm will move to colonisation stage. During colonisation a large number of Native bee activity will continue to be present in setting up their new nest location.

Drifting Native Bee Swarm

This generally occurs in man made hives when the hive boxes are placed close together, especially when new hives are introduced. The returning worker bees may drift into wrong hives sending the hives into swarm . Drifting swarms will cause the Native bees to be on high alert as the hives believe they are being invaded.

Any questions on a Native Stingless bee swarm you may be witnessing you can call Brisbane Native Bees.

If you need help in Identification of native bees some useful information is available in our native stingless bee identification page.

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The most widely used and quickest method used by native bee keepers to duplicate a hive is to split the hive in two from a hive box. In cases where a log hive exists the hive should be left as is in the log and an Eduction made.

Eduction of Native bees can also be made from established hives in hive boxes. Eduction is also used for Native bee natural nest sites such as in a tree or cavity wall. With Eduction the main mother nest remains.

The process of Eduction can take many months and requires careful monitoring. The duplicate hive is removed from the mother hive when a new queen and Brood is seen in the attached box.

Eduction method for Native bees is also known as Natural Hive Duplication.

For all you Native bee Rescue, removal and maintenance requirements contact us at Brisbane Native bees here.

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