I don't think that they are honey bees. They wouldn,t nest in a space that small and only gather nectar,pollen,propolis, and water.

Do you know what the attraction to the potting soil is? These bees are going nuts over the potting soil on all my tropical plants that I have on my deck. I have a lot of them out this year- like 20 plants. I have various tropicals- bananas, grapefruit, palms, ect.- lots of different sized pots. I haven't fed the plants anything unusual that would attract bees. At least what I've fed them hasn't attracted them before. I wonder- if they aren't honey bees - could they be miner or mason bees? They sure do LOOK like honey bees. I noticed last night that they stayed in the banana tree's pots that is split down the side. This is just weird to me. I watered the plants this morning and the bees didn't like it one bit. Any help on what to do about this would help. As I said in my previous post- I spend quit a bit of time outside on my deck with my daughter. I don't want either of us to get stung as there are numerous bees out there. I have to admit I'm scared of them.

Thanks!

I wish I could be of more help. I know honey bees but I don't know much about other bees. You can find information about mason, carpenter, and miner bees online. I would observe them and try to determine if they are living in the pots or taking potting soil away with them. A local county extension service or local college science department may help you in identifying them. From what I've read, the male mason bees can't sting you but will try to chase you awway.

Thanks, Tony. I have read the same about the mason bees. I think that just may be what these bees are. I saw an actual honey bee on my phlox hanging baskets I have on the rails of my deck. In comparison- these bees are a little bit smaller. I have noticed these bees ARE taking away the potting soil. HA HA! Funny things. I don't think they are living in my banana tree after all. I just haven't seen so darn many being attracted to my tropical plants' pot soil before. Another possibility is they could be miner bees. But I think miner bees look a little more different than mason bees. I'll get to the bottom of it eventually. I don't want to hurt any bee population by doing something stupid to get rid of them (ie: pesticides). If they go away eventually I'll be happy. I'll just take my daughter to my local park to play. That was my main concern- for her not to get stung (well, me too! HA!)

Thanks for trying to help me out!

Pebbles, seeing your sign in name gave me one more thought. What if you got some fine plastic mesh such as the kind used in crafts and cut it to fit in the top of the pot around the plant and then covered that with a layer of small pebbles like they use in water fountains? It might discourage the bees and still allow the plant to breathe and be watered.

Never thought of that, Tony! I do have something like that that might work. I have little pebbles, too. I use them for other plants I have that are in my house. It's funny- today there aren't as many bees around them. But they sure are going nuts around my bird bath. Thanks for the tip! I think I'll give that a try after dusk when they aren't around.

Thanks, again!

By the way- my name is Kris. hehe I use Pebbles as a sign in name. hehe It's my dog's name. She's a pug. HAHAHA!! Too funny! hehehe

Well, I think the bird bath comment gave it away. If it's hot and dry where you are, they are after your water to cool their hive down.