We have noticed that when we pull up we seem to attract the attention of many Bees and Wasps.
We try to shoo them away but they just return. My question, as one of you blokes mentioned you kept Bees is this. Because we have bugs and I guess Wasps and Bees splattered on the front of our bike does that now give off a smell that attracts them ?
I've noticed the same thing Col, on the bike & also on long trips in the Merc. If we have to stop for a while, like roadworks etc, the wasps & bees come around. I 100% reckon they can smell the splattered bugs & other bees on the vehicle. I've watched from inside the car as wasps begin cleaning up bug remnants and also noticed the same on the headlight on the bike once it's been stopped for a while.
Neither wasp nor bees have actually bothered us, they're just interested in getting the free food it would appear.
Fairly sure the dead give off a warning pheromone that they've either been attacked or need defending.
Not an expert 😳
Are you wearing high viz? Bees are attracted to vibrant colours, they think you a giant flower and want to collect some nectar and pollen. Worker bees don't do any fighting, the soldier bees (usually stones, I.e eunuch bees) only protect the hive from direct attack. Out in the field the worker bees rely on the sun to navigate them back home. I've never heard of dead bugs giving off warning pheromones. Wasps are opportunists, they also like flower nectar, but also dead bugs and bees.
KF does wear Hi Viz, his jacket had bright yellow markings against the black jacket. Wonder if you're onto something there Eric, the bees & wasps may see Col as giant king bee / wasp & are coming to pay homage. :happy1:
Lord of the Flies, pfft, ain't got nuthin on KF-Col, Lord of the Bees! :onya:
Re Hi Viz clothing:
Putting to one side the issue of dead bugs or anything else on the clothing, the ultraviolet spectrum is visible to bees and wasps, and bright colours can be prominent in it, so Hi Viz potentially catches their eye for this reason alone. However, Hi Viz is by its nature bright in colour and may mimic colours associated with flowers and therefore food sources - bees and wasps may be inquisitive and decide to explore this, but when they quickly realise it's not food, they'll lose interest and move on.
Re dead insects on clothing/bikes/cars:
The majority of bee species don't eat meat, so are not attracted per se to the insect corpses on Hi Viz/bikes/cars. However, many insects release oleic acid when dying - social insects such as bees may be attracted by this and attempt to clean up the bodies (as they do in a hive).
Wasps, particularly yellowjackets which are recognised as being scavengers, are drawn to dead insects, with which they feed larvae in their nests. Chocolate fishes to Eric and Kiwicol.
It is impossible to say why on any given occasion bees and/or wasps fly around us when on our bikes, but it will be due to one or more of these factors.
Regarding trying to shoo them away, don't as this agitates them and makes them more likely to stay. It goes against our instincts, but remain still...they're primary drive isn't to sting us, unless we threaten them, so we'll be fine. Keep calm and carry on biking.
I always wear a stretchy Hi-Viz vest (yellow) when riding the bike.
David Attenborough got nothing compared to 14 forum. 😂