Bees
We have 1,700 species of Australian native bees, but a number of bee species from overseas have also become established in Australia. The European Honey Bee (most common) was introduced deliberately for honey production but the four other species listed below appear to have arrived in Australia accidentally. All have now established feral populations in our bush land.
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European Honeybees
The European Honey Bee (12 to 15 mm long) was first successfully brought into Australia in about 1822 by early colonists for honey production. Apiarists in Australia now keep hundreds of thousands of managed hives of these bees, providing valuable services in honey production and crop pollination.
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However, swarms of European Honeybees also escaped into our bushland where they have established feral nests in most parts of Australia, except for arid areas. The impact of these feral Honeybees on our native flora and fauna is controversial and difficult to quantify (see below) but they do provide valuable pollination services to farmers in many areas. European Honeybees are some of the most common bees that people notice in their gardens.
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Many flowers cannot produce seeds unless pollen is carried from the male part of a flower to the female part. This process is called Pollination. Without pollination, most wildflowers would not be able to produce new seedlings and gradually these flowers would disappear from our bushland.
Without pollination, many crop plants would not be able to produce the fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and oils which are an important part of the food we eat.
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If not in hives, these honeybees can live in swarms that may settle temporarily in trees and even buildings such as house cavity walls, chimneys or roof voids.
If you cannot find an Apiarist to remove your bees then Precision Pest Management WA may be the alternative for Bee Treatment.