A Shag-Pile Carpet Can Ruin Even a Feral Bee’s Day
Posted on 11 February, 2011 by Connecting Country
The unique climatic conditions we have been experiencing lately have led to some unwelcome environmental consequences. One example is that populations of feral bees are doing well. The competition for hollows has intensified and the timeframe at which a bee colony can occupy a hollow is significantly shorter than that of a phascogale.
The Connecting Country network has been receiving reports of feral bees colonising nest boxes and we are now developing a strategy to remove them. We are looking at coaxing the colony into a more suitable home such as a beehive containing a small offering of food. Once the bees have jumped ship, the nest boxes can be removed, thoroughly cleaned and retro-fitted with shag-pile carpet on the ceiling of the box. The reason for using shag-pile carpet is that bees cannot attach beeswax to it. The nest boxes will then be re-installed in their original location and for their original purpose.
Nest Box colonised by feral bees. Thanks to Denis Gibson for this photo.
We are very interested in hearing from you about nest boxes that have been colonised with bees. If you would like to report a nest box bee colony, please send an email containing your full name and physical address to info@connectingcountry.org.au so that we can follow up with the bee removal program.
One slight difficulty in implementing our removal strategy has arisen from changed carpet fashions! Carpet suppliers have informed us that shag-pile carpet is being discontinued. If you could donate some shag-pile carpet or know of where we could source some, please let us know at the email address above or ring Connecting Country on (03) 5472 1594.
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