The leafcutter bee is a type of bee that is beneficial to some farmers, but annoying to many gardeners. This bee is about the size of a bumblebee and It is known for its habit of cutting circular holes in leaves to deposit its eggs.
Although the leafcutter bee does not do much harm to the overall health of a plant, the holes it leaves in leaves can be unsightly and sometimes reduce the plant's ability to perform properly. photosynthesis.
They can also produce a slight sting if handled, but they are not aggressive, you just have to be very careful. Something important to keep in mind is that They are great plant pollinators.
In this article, we'll explore some ways to get rid of leafcutter bees in your garden, and why you should consider it.
What is the leaf cutter bee?
It is known for its habit of cutting perfect circles from the leaves of various plants and then roll them into tubes that the bee uses to lay its eggs.
La leafcutter bee It is a solitary bee, meaning it does not live in a colony, but builds its own individual nest. It is about half a centimetre long, stout, dark grey in colour with a sort of pollen brush on the underside of its abdomen.
Females use pieces of leaves to build cells within their nest. They are active from spring to late summer. The nest may be a natural tunnel, such as a hollow stem of a plant, or built in a rotten wooden surface or dry soil.
Inside its nest He arranges the pieces of leaves that he manipulates to form a structure very similar to a thimble, which supplies a mixture of pollen and nectar.
When she has managed to gather enough food, the female bee lays only one egg on top of the entire stored food and covers the cell with pieces of circular leaves. This process is repeated until the nest can contain approximately 20 larval cells.
Why should you get rid of leafcutter bees?
As mentioned above, the leafcutter bee generally does not harm the health of the plant from which it cuts the leaves. However, The circular holes it leaves in the leaves can reduce the plant's ability to carry out photosynthesis, which can lead to reduced growth and less fruit and flower production.
In addition, the unsightly nature of circular holes cut into leaves can negatively affect the aesthetics of the garden.
Ways to get rid of leafcutter bees
Controlling leafcutter bees can be difficult due to their solitary nature and its ability to change location periodically.
But to find out if they are in your garden you have to investigate the characteristic symptoms they leave on the leaves. They are the crescent-shaped holes that they make on the edges of the leaves. by removing discs of leaf tissue and using them to make their nest cells. A leaf may have a single disc or several.
However, there are some methods that can be used to get rid of them:
Prevention
Eliminate potential breeding sites by looking for rotten boards with sawdust extracted from tunnels or plants with thick stems and hollowed-out openings.
Mechanical control
Cover the most susceptible plants with some netting or gauze during periods when bees are most active, for example at the end of summer. To prevent them from making tunnels in the rose stems you can place white glue in the openings.
Physical barriers can also be used to keep leaf-cutting bees at bay. For example, some gardeners choose to cover their plants with netting or a floating blanket, which is a light fabric that allows the sun and water to pass through.
When used correctly, these barriers can help prevent bees from reaching plants and laying their eggs and building nests.
nest boxes
One of the most effective and simple ways to control leafcutter bees is by providing them with an alternative and more attractive place to nest.
Leafcutter bee nest boxes can be purchased or built by homeowners using services such as irrigation or pest control companies.
The boxes are usually made of wood that is attractive to bees and They are placed in areas of the garden where bees are likely to nest.The goal is to encourage bees to nest in the box rather than in garden plants, as the box may be easier to access and destroy.
Pest control
If the problem of leafcutter bees is particularly severe, it may be necessary to call in an expert to help solve the problem.
Pest control services, such as those provided by a local irrigation company, They can set and monitor traps and poison baits for an extended period of time. This will help control the population by removing a certain number of the bees, and will eventually deter the rest from returning.
Natural repellants
Some gardeners choose to use 100% natural repellents to eliminate the problem of leafcutter bees. Soap-based sprays, such as a solution of one part dishwashing detergent to six parts water, can be sprayed on plants to deter bees from laying their eggs.
Similarly, the plant can be sprayed with a solution of one part white vinegar and two parts water to repel bees.
It is not advisable to use chemical controls with insecticides because they are not effective in preventing leaf cutting. Also, remember that these bees are beneficial and important as pollinators.
Finally, the leafcutter bee can be an especially difficult problem to solve, as it is difficult to control due to its individual nature and ability to change location periodically.
However, there are several methods that can be used to get rid of leafcutter bees. Ultimately, the decision to get rid of leafcutter bees in the garden It is to maintain the health and aesthetics of the garden.
Remember that leafcutter bees are pollinators and a very valuable part of the garden wildlife!! So we just need to keep them away.