Garden Wildlife UK

Placido wrote:First big, furry, bumbly bumble bee of the year . Great to see .
Not a thing in the garden in flower

It is usually a Queen house hunting at this time of year . Be ready with your Chirms just in case you're selected.
PS I have violets and primroses available for any hungry bees.

Another bumble today, just bumbling around, presumably apartment-hunting. This one was ginger but with a black posterior and slightly less friendly than the February one. Some folks .......

Feeding the birds this affie and upon my return to the cavemouth I espied a large bumble on the grass. Bad news .
Prepared some sugar water and served it up but until dusk, no movement. Don't think we've won this one - but this has worked in the past.

Thank you, Nuthatch . All appropriate rites were performed

Can't win `em all Placi

I have purchased a spray gun thingy of Westland 'Resolva' Bug Killer with a view to zapping a pest which I think is woolly aphid on my cherished escallonia cuttings.
When I came to use the stuff I read the red Safety Instructions panel for the first time - I know, I know - and discovered a very disconcerting section which may throw light on the parlous plight in which our native bees find themselves these days.

"Dangerous to bees. Do not use where bees are actively foraging."
"Risk to non-target insects and other arthropods."
Oh yes, and you can't use it in direct sunlight.

I'll have to rethink this stuff - maybe bring the pot inside for 2 weeks while it kills the pest.
Seems that neo-nicotinoids may not be the only culprit.

Placido wrote:I have purchased a spray gun thingy of Westland 'Resolva' Bug Killer with a view to zapping a pest which I think is woolly aphid on my cherished escallonia cuttings.
When I came to use the stuff I read the red Safety Instructions panel for the first time - I know, I know - and discovered a very disconcerting section which may throw light on the parlous plight in which our native bees find themselves these days.

"Dangerous to bees. Do not use where bees are actively foraging."
"Risk to non-target insects and other arthropods."
Oh yes, and you can't use it in direct sunlight.

I'll have to rethink this stuff - maybe bring the pot inside for 2 weeks while it kills the pest.
Seems that neo-nicotinoids may not be the only culprit.

does the can come with a protective suit,gloves and goggles for the user?