Bees in a compost pile?

[xC0000005]

Got some mail from a woman who claimed she had bees in her compost pile. Most often up here that's wasps or bumble bees (in about equal distributions). Today she sent me a picture of the side of the compost pile and there is what looks like honeycomb sticking out of one side. It's weathered and stained but if I saw it on a branch there's no question I'd immediately label it honeycomb. Her husband went out to dig up the compost pile and backed away when "the entire thing started humming". I guess anything's possible.

Anyone seen honeybees in a compost pile before?

[drobbins]

I see bees "on" my compost pile all the time, presumably collecting moisture.
you seem to be saying they're "in" it as in building a colony in there
my compost pile wouldn't have a cavity in it for that to happen. my guess is they're just seeing foragers gathering moisture

Dave

[mistergil]

My hives are 25 yards from my compost piles and the bees flock there. Drobbins is probably right that it's the moisture. Odd place for a colony though..

[EKW]

I see mine in our compost piles all the time- they are collecting minerals and salts from the compost material. never seen one build comb in a compost pile before though.

[drobbins]

I've actually heard that a five gallon bucket full of compost and water makes a REALLY good water source for bees if you're trying to make them leave you neighbors swimming pool alone

Dave

[xC0000005]

Ok - so, the short story is: Not honeybees.

A year before the previous owner had a swarm land in some tulips and build up some substantial comb. Then died due to picking a really lousy spot. Comb and tulips was thrown into the compost bin. Dozens of small black bumble bees moved in under tulips with comb.

So, pictures show honeycomb half buried.
Homeowner sees a lot of bees, some of which seem to be on comb.
Not a swarm of honeybees.

At least they paid for gas.

[Chef Isaac]

thats nice that they paid for gas. I got a swarm call this evening from Vashon Island. Waaaayyyy to far!!

[xC0000005]

Yeah. Found the remains of the parent colony that threw the swarm as well (also dead). I have the number of a beekeeper on Vashon if you need it.

[moonlightbeekeeper]

3 years in a row I've caught a swarm of bees i a persons compost bin. They got in in a hole that the lock hooked into. This year I placed a swarm trat there on top of it and caught another swarm!!!