From Olivia Batchelor, Regional Area Surveyor for our West Midlands Region)
Masonry Bees - Helpful Pollinators or Hostile Invaders?
As a Chartered Surveyor, one of the more unique and seasonal topics buzzing around involves the tiniest of tenants: masonry bees, whose homemaking may put them at odds with our built environment. So, let’s explore the question, do they pose a threat to our homes?
Meet the Bee-autiful Builders
‘Masonry’ (or ‘mortar’) bees, are honeybee-like in appearance but unlike their sociable cousins, are solitary types that do not nest in colonies. Instead, they prefer to nest within small cavities and crevices, often in mortar joints within walls, as well as bricks and stones themselves. Masonry bees favour sunny, south-facing elevations and, using their mandibles, carve out their nests in spring or summer.
Will Masonry Bees Damage my Home?
Before you start imagining bees demolishing your home brick by brick, let us provide some perspective. Masonry bees are not inherently destructive and a few holes will not cause significant damage to the building fabric. However, their annual burrowing can exacerbate existing weaknesses in your home’s masonry and can sometimes accelerate the degradation process of already compromised structures.
For example, a large number of bees will create an extensive system of holes within older, softer and deteriorating mortar, which can disrupt the bearing capacity of masonry, as the voids will fill with water which will expand upon freezing and cause deterioration.
What Should I do if I Spot Masonry Bees?
If you see a few masonry bees outside your home, don’t panic. Take it as a sign to inspect your masonry and check for any existing issues. Masonry bees can be deterred by repointing any damaged mortar. New mortar should not be too strong for the bricks or stone but hard enough to discourage the bees. Repointing works should be carried out during late summer or autumn, to avoid the activities of the bees.
Action will be required where the bee population seems more like a bustling apartment complex than a few temporary tenants. In this case you will spot numerous nesting holes and many bees buzzing around a wall, as well as possible excavated mortar on the ground below. Pest control experts with experience in handling bees can safely relocate them. Remember, we want to protect these efficient pollinators whilst preserving our property.
Overall, mortar bees are not as building-unfriendly as frequently imagined, but play a crucial role in our ecosystem. Often, intervention will be unnecessary. The key advice is be aware, maintain your external walls and seek professional advice if necessary.
Buzzing off for now!
Olivia Batchelor
Chartered Surveyor and Bee Enthusiast
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