Anyone heard or experienced 'aggressive' bees?

[Ellegirly 74]

In the last month or so we have experienced 5 seperate incidents in our garden with what appear to be bees, I know bees are not usually aggressive creatures, but honestly they do look like bees, or maybe they could be a type of wasp??
They usually attack afternoon/evening time and there are only 4-6 at a time, and whereas most wasps or bees will fly off if you 'shoo' them away, these actually don't give up and dive at you. They are totally aggressive, and have stung my husband, myself, our 3 year old daugther and a friend.
When they 'arrive' in the garden we can tell the difference between these and normal bees (or maybe wasps) straight away, and we literally have to make a run for it indoors.
We can see no evidence in our garden of a nest, have even had Pest Control round and he couldn't find anything. We are assuming therefore that they are in a neighbouring garden, so we are obviously not an immediate threat to them in any way so therefore it seems so strange they would attack as they do.
It has got to a point where we feel we can't go out in our garden. Has anybody had a similar experience? Or does anyone know if there is anything we can do?
The Pest control guy seemed abit miffed when I said they were aggressive as if it was highly unlikely, but they are most definitely out to sting with a vengeance!! If anyone can advise or say they've had similar experiences so we don't feel like we're going mad!

[annieigma]

Hi,
I don't want too sound obvious, but you need to catch/kill one and present it to the exterminator guy. As you are probably aware, wild ( large) Bees are not aggressive unless really provoked, honey bees are small and usually totally ignore humans, whereas, wasps are nasty little things ( some really big ones about) and will really not take "no" for an answer. Bees will not sting, as they will die, wasps take great pleasure in stinging. The wasp season is nearly over, usually August, then the September rain comes and they all go into their nest for the winter, dreaming up new ways of annoying humans, so with any luck, as soon as this hot spell ends ( depends where you are, but most people had a really hot day today) they will be gone, but it may be worth talking to you neighbours, as the wasps appear to be nesting in hedges now. I have found two wasps nests in two years, one was in a cardboard box in my garage, the other, a beautiful, large. hanging thing like a christmas lantern, in my loft. luckily, empty. an absolute work of art, cannot beleive that a small thing could build a nest a foot long and 10" wide.
so they could be nesting anywhere.
good luck.
annie.

[bensmum]

Might be worth speaking to someone who knows about bees - usually a local Bee Keeping Society would have people who are happy to advise on species and reason for the behaviour. Normally bees and wasps attack if you're near a nest or hive but if you're sure that isn't the case here then some expert help might be in order

[argorstran]

I also think that its wasps rather than bees - good way to tell - wasps have a narrow "waist" . I'm wondering if a newly fertilised queen has dug herself in to your garden to hibernate over winter and the other wasps (who know where she is) are trying to protect her ? (this is the time of year that they mate) . Wasps are incredibly brave and intelligent creatures .
It will be interesting to see next spring , if she survives the hibernation , whether she starts a nest in your loft - check the apex in may .
Annie , the nest I had in my loft 3 yrs ago was 4 breeze blocks wide by 3 breeze blocks high by 8 inches thick . It certainly was a work of art , they put a spirally pattern on it just like wallpaper .

[JonnyBoy12]

Bees are not normally agressive creatures but they hate perfume and aftershave. If you are wearing this then I would advise stopping this at once.

Sorry I can not be of more help. Perhaps these bees have come from Stingapore?