Every year we receive lots of enquiries relating to bumblebee nests so we have prepared this list of frequently asked questions to help answer our most common nest enquiries. We have also created this guide to bumblebee nests and what you need to know to help people understand what to do if they find a nest.
How can I help a bumblebee nest?
You can help a bumblebee colony which is nesting near you by providing plenty of bee-friendly flowers for them throughout their lifecycle (generally from August to May).
I’ve damaged a bumblebee nest on the ground, what can I do?
Depending on the level of damage, the bumblebees will aim to repair parts of the nest that were damaged. It is best to leave the area alone and see if the bumblebees can repair it. If necessary, place an upturned flower pot over the nest to give them some shelter.
How long do bumblebee nests live for?
Normally nests live for about 2 or 3 months. After this time the original queen, her workers and her sons will die. If the nest has been successful in rearing new queens they will leave the nest to mate and then go on to hibernate somewhere in the soil – ready to emerge the following spring to start their own colonies.
Will the bees damage my house?
Bumblebees do not cause structural damage (i.e. they do not chew through wood or bore holes). They utilise material which is already available to make their nests. Bumblebees don’t make or store honey either – so you won’t have any honey oozing through your ceiling or walls.
I have a nest in my garden and I’m worried about my pets or children
Bumblebees are not aggressive insects and are generally only interested in finding flowers. The only time when they may act defensively is if something disturbs their nest so it can be a good idea to put some sort of barrier in place a few metres from where they are nesting so that any pets or young children do not disturb the nest. Having a bumblebee nest in your garden can provide a great opportunity to teach children about these vitally important pollinators. We have lots of resources available to help.
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