There are a number of solitary types of wild bee species, including Mining Bees, Mortar or Masonry Bees and Carpenter Bees, they do not sting and are completely harmless.

Their habitat includes: earth banks, soft eroded rocks, brickwork, soft or poor quality mortar and dry soft timber.

The females bore into such material to form a system of tunnels during the early spring. Only a single brood generation is raised each year so, although the bees may be evident during the summer because of more frequent flights, the building fabric will not suffer further damage until the following spring.

They are all solitary and do not form swarms or colonies, although many individual bees will often attack the same area if it provides particularly suitable conditions.

Treatment

As the bees' boring activities are limited to comparatively weak materials, the most effective method of preventing further damage is the repointing of the walls. This should be done during late summer or autumn after all activity ceases.

The use of insecticide spray treatments are unlikely to achieve any lasting effect alone.