Thanks Nik... I wasn't clear enough, lol. There is no hive! We've been through the entire place, no hive. It was raining today, so no bees. However most fine days, bees snoozing on the bricks! It's so weird - we're in the suburbs, not like the neighbours are far away, there's only about 2 or three metres between us and either side neighbours.

My understanding is that if they're close to the hive, they'll go there to sleep - apparently only the long range foragers camp out.

Maybe bees just know if people are a soft touch, and just come along to our place like the birds and other critters do. Birds often park their babies in the back for me to look after - we've only been here a few months! The lizards come too...

Awwww all the little animals love you, that’s really sweet :) but I think I understand you’re problem more. At night, when the bees go to bed (or do they sleep on your bricks at night too?), spray a mixture of 1/2 vinegar & 1/2 water on the places they have decided to call home ... might help neutralize any smell or comfort they associate with your bricks. Peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil & citronella oil are effective, as are moth balls... might be worth trying those remedies? If not, I think a call to a beekeeper (even if there isn’t a hive) & ask for their opinion?

Thanks Nik... Lol, I don't think it's very sweet to be a known sucker amongst the other species, but there you have it! Our yard is like Switzerland, come one, come all! Hubby was out there spinning a baby magpie on the hills hoist, yesterday. They squawk at him until he does it. Freaking Luna Park, for birds.

I'd be reluctant to spray vinegar or any other acidic thing on my bricks and mortar. They're exposure rated, but vinegar plus salt winds from the sea nearby wouldn't be ideal, even if it were only once. I'll try to hang some citronella sachets, or things like that around the garden walls, at least - I lean over those to get into the beds, and squashed sting-y bee doesn't seem appealing, especially with my allergies. I can't see them easily because they fade into the stippled brownish clay colour. My house bricks are a pale, neutral cream, so at least I can see that they're there - you wouldn't think they would sleep in such an exposed position - and yes, they stay overnight.

If it goes on too long, I'll call an apiarist for advice.

Oh gosh, I probably could charge... Unfortunately no really big trees yet, which is why I think the birds put babies here. They know I'm home all day, and we don't have cats and dogs. A shingleback lizard tried to waltz in at the front door when we opened it one day last week. Yeah, come on in... I closed it fast! Lol.

I have a bit of cuban oregano/mexican mint about, to keep cats and dogs away, maybe I could try rubbing some on the walls? But then again, the bees go to the flowers, so maybe not.

Thanks for your help!

Hi Aeryn, I just read that thyme is a great herb for keeping bees and wasps away - maybe some planted in large pots or a few featured plants - along with your mint - they might help to gently shoo them off to another garden. Do you have a lot of flowering plants in your garden they might be attracted too? Might be worth a look at your nursery to see if they have some different varieties/species/sizes of eucalyptus bushes vs planting an oversized gum tree? Basil is supposedly good for repelling flies and mozzies - maybe the bees won't like it either? I can't help but wonder if there is something on your bricks, perhaps something sweet on them that they like? Maybe a good gurney might help to neutralise whatever it is they are drawn too?

Well, the yard is full of cacti and succulents... And it's new. The only things with flowers now are the euphorbia milii, so no especial attractant. Being a newish build (just less than 12 months since we moved in) there are many more established and flowery gardens within stone's throw. I really would hope there's nothing attractive on the bricks - it can't be the colour, as the garden walls are entirely different to the house, and built at a different time, (recently). There are other houses around with these bricks, but no sleeping bees! Lol. I hope the fairies at the bottom of the garden didn't spray sugar spray on the walls!

I have no desire to plant large trees on my suburban block. I've put in a pomegranate which is still a small sapling, about a 60cm stick with no flowers. I've put in a Yucca, but it hasn't even a stem, yet, let alone flowers.

That's why I'm stumped. The street trees are ornamental pear, however none are in flower, and we don't even have ours yet. A few blocks away they have the dreaded plane trees - beautiful, but deadly for my allergies. There are a few reserves, so I wish the trees would hurry and get big there so the birds have somewhere. They love builder's left over lunches, but there's not much shelter here.

I'll try the thyme, but they like those flowers, too. I dunno! (Throws hands in air...)

Wondering now, if it's because the bricks are heavily textured and they can grip well?

I remember being told when they swarm they are looking for a place to start a new hive. We had a swarm once and they moved on after a few days. If it's been two weeks I would call a beekeeper to collect them.