I have a new property in Sooke. The old owners left me some fruit trees and there is also a bee nesting box nearby. Two weeks ago (beginning of March) I noticed lots of house flies outside in the sunshine. I assumed they were house flies but people have told me they are mason bees because house flies don't emerge this early. Can someone confirm this? Is there an easy way to tell the difference?
can't answer your question but would add my own. I have Mason Bees, I live in East Vancouver, and I'm wondering when to put them out. I've always waited until my cherry blooms in the yard and on the street but that means waiting another few weeks. (I have late bloomers) As for telling the difference between bees and flies, capture one... if it doesn't look like a fly it's a bee. Lisa
Mason bees are a lot more hairy than any of the common houseflies, and as well they hold their wings closer to their bodies (houseflies often have a delta shape). A sunny day at this time of year can hatch a swarm of houseflies, but the masons are also starting. If you have a sunny white wall covered with black dots, that's more likely to be flies. If they are inside the house, that's also most likely flies. Ralph
Flys have short clublike antennae and only one pair of wings. Bees have longer segmented antennae and two pairs of wings, but the separation between the fore wings and the hind wings is not obvious, so they look like they have only one pair of wings as well. Basically, you have to look at the antennae - if the antennae are long and "mobile", its a bee. Which means you need to get really close to one to be sure.
Apart from differences in appearance behavior of the two completely different, mason bees work flowers and return to hives - they are "busy bees". House flies walk around on surfaces in and near households, in a zigzag fashion, tasting them for treats. They can detect food odors etc. and will "fly" right in open doors in a "beeline".
Thanks for all the advice. Based on what you said, I suspect they were house flies. I'll have a closer look if I see them again.
Mason bees are a common problem, my mom used to live out in sooke and she had quite a few, however i would also assume houseflies, i have attached a picture of a mason bee just so you have something to go by