In a message dated 99-01-29 08:01:20 EST, [log in to unmask] writes:
 
<< I live in a small cottage in the SF Bay Area.  I recently noticed that I
 have a nest of bumblebees living in my roof (this is a 1930's cottage
 w/a pointed overhang roof over the front door -- they are going in an
 air vent by one of the eaves).  It does not get cold enough here for
 most critters to hibernate -- plus it is starting to warm.  I have
 remanents of an orchard on my property -- while I believe the bumble
 bees to be beneficial, I am very nervous about them being in the roof.
 I wonder how big the nest is  s I see a bee coming/going about every
 30-40 seconds.
 
 Would you suggest calling a bee person to have them relocated or leave
 them?  What are my risks leaving them -- I need to start working in the
 yard and when I go out they often "buzz" me -- I'm not overly nervous,
 but maybe should be.  >>
 
    I seriously doubt they are bumblebees. For one thing bumblebees rarely pay
any attention to humans, unless they are coming straight on to sting. For
another thing, it is too early for much bumblebee activity, you'd only see an
occasional queen looking for a nesting site, and that probably a little later.
I'm sure you had enough cold this year to kill off any bumblebees that "tried"
to overwinter. They don't store up food like honeybees, so just a few days
without nectar would kill the colony.
 
    Around here carpenter bees are common in early spring. I haven't seen any
yet, but expect to, with the 80 degree days we've been having. They are often
mistaken for bumblebees.
 
    Drone carpenter bees (they cannot sting) will often hover around you. If
fact they will face you off, and you can sometimes dance with them. Try
tossing a pebble, they'll chase it. I suspect that anything that moves is
investigated as a possible mate. One time I watched carpenter bee drones chase
a couple wrens that were building a nest. Each time they flew, it would chase
them. They were scolding it at every opportunity, but it didn't make any
difference.  Hilarious!
 
    Carpenter bees bore a small hole in old wood to nest. They are solitary
bees in that they do not have an organized colony, but they are gregarious, in
that they will often nest in groups. The damage they do to wood is usually
just cosmetic.
 
    Unless they are in huge numbers, and causing serious wood damage, I'd just
live with them. The males (the ones that will follow you) can't sting, and the
females will go about their work with almost no chance of stinging, unless you
catch them in your hand. Honeybee keepers would not be interested in either
carpenter bees or bumblebees.
 
   And, as you say, they are valuable pollinators for your fruit trees.
 
Dave Green   SC   USA
www.pollinator.com