> From:         MIKE ALLSOPP <[log in to unmask]>
>
> I have had a query from the owner of a hotel who has a serious
> problem with large numbers of bees foraging at the buffet tables that
> are set around the pool area....
>
 
Mike,
 
I can't speak with assuredness because you're in South Africa, but in
these parts I'd bet my mortgage that the bees causing the problems are
not honey bees but yellow jackets.  Traps are somewhat effective but
won't solve the hotel's problem as there are always more yellow jackets.
Yellow jackets are ground nesters and can be eliminated if one can
locate the nest.  In their place, yellow jackets can be beneficial
insects as they will eat other problem bugs.  However, poolside they
are admittedly a nusiance because they will readily scavange whatever
they can find.  Honey bees have little interest in buffet tables, but
the will take water from pools if there is not a closer source to their
hive.
 
I have readily available the entire yellow jacket discussions fron BEE-L
if you'd like them.  The file is almost 7500 lines and goes back to
1991.  Let me know if you're interested (or anyone else for that matter)
 
Aaron Morris - I think, therefore I bee!