General
These bees are generally smaller than the honey bee and vary in colour. They
choose to make their nest in and around the house exploiting small holes in
the fabric of buildings and keyholes etc.
Significance
There is no damage caused by these bees to good mortar as is sometimes suggested.
Some damage may be caused to old and poorly maintained mortar.
The insects are very unlikely to sting and their presence constitutes only a
slight nuisance.
Control
The only long term solution to the problem is to repoint the area concerned or
in the case of defective stonework, dress or replace it.
In the short term and possibly before repointing, an application of residual
carbamate or synthetic pyrethroid can be used. |
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