This ‘n That…. Going to the Bees!
I went out to my work shop/shed this morning to get some tools and discovered some kind of oozy guck on the floor that looked like:
In the dark corner I couldn’t identify the mob of critters around it. Thinking they might be roaches, I grabbed the Raid(tm) and gave them a squirt. As soon as they started flying I regretted being so quick on the draw. I didn’t get stung, but I was surrounded by a lot of bees!
Checking outside on the other side of the wall I found a fair size congregation of critters. I got close enought to get a couple photos and then retired to a safe distance.
This was about 8:15 and I suspect the bees were gathering for their morning foraging.
In the close up, you can see they were coming and going through a hole in the paneling. Altogether there are three holes. I don’t remember leaving them when Geoff and I sheathed the outside of the shed. I would, however, think it would be extraordinary for the bees to have chewed their way in. Why would they?
I called around here and there and the editor of the local rag that carries me on the masthead tipped me off to a guy who is doing bee research here is the desert. Dave J. came over this afternoon and took a look and we laid out a plan that he will try and trap the bees in a ?? behive?? Some sort of box. While we were observing the critters, we apparently got too close for their comfort. Dave didn’t get nailed, but I did. One bee stung me on my neck. I’ve been stung before so anaphylaxis wasn’t a concern.
I hope the idea of trapping them works. I’m not threatened by the bees, but I’m not real comfortable with them flying around inside the shed. The last thing I want to do is call an exterminator. Meanwhile, the bees and I will coexist for a week or so.
Stay safe,
the GOG
A Freelance Writer's Blog 
I got stung in the side of my chest by a bee on a recent hike, and my partner got stung on the nose and the back of his head. We had unknowingly walked too close to a hive in a tunnel. Your shed sounds like a perfect place for a hive (from the bee’s perspective, not yours).
I once told Col that if we lived in the country I’d be interested in keeping bees, but she said she’d veto the idea.
I hope Dave J. is successful, as I also don’t like the idea of exterminating them. Our bee population is having enough trouble as it is!
Keep us posted!