Can someone move the nest for me?
Please note: we do not move bumblebee nests. Generally we do not advise that people move nests unless it is absolutely necessary. Most bumblebee colonies do not survive after being relocated so it is always better to let them finish their short life-cycles rather than move their nest. If the entrance to a nest is in an awkward place – such as next to a door, you can attempt to re-route the exit.
What to do if you find a bumblebee nest
If you find a bumblebee nest, consider yourself very lucky! They aren’t very common, and can be difficult to find.
We recommend that if you find a bumblebee nest, it is best to leave it alone and avoid disturbing it. If you do approach close to it, be sure not to breathe on the nest, as this can make the bees behave defensively, and they may sting. Please note that though bumblebees are not generally aggressive, they might get aggravated if you interfere with the nest itself. They should just get on with life and do their own thing – doing a wonderful job of pollinating plants, wildflowers and your vegetables. Even the very largest nests produce very little ‘traffic’ in and out, so you won’t see threatening numbers of bumblebees at any point during the summer.
If the bumblebees are living under your shed, and are coming up through holes in the floor, then this is probably because it’s the easiest way in and out for them. If you make a different hole, from the outside of the shed, and then block up the hole they were using, then they should happily take to their new route.
Bumblebee nests don’t live for long, so the nest should die naturally within a few months. After that time, the new queens will have flown from the nest to hibernate in the soil elsewhere.
It is possible that a different bumblebee queen will find and use the same hole next year. The old nest will die in the autumn though, and all the bumblebees will have left or died. If you don’t want bumblebees in the same place again, you can block the entrance to the nest after it dies down to prevent a new queen finding the nest site in later years.
Moving bumblebee nests
We very much hope that people will only try to move nests that are in a particularly inconvenient locations. Underground nests will be difficult to move, as you’ll create a considerable amount of disturbance as you dig down to the nest. These nests can also have long tunnels that lead to the nest, so can be difficult to find.
Volunteers from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust do not move bumblebee nests. If you do need to move a nest you will either need to do this yourself or get help from someone experienced in doing so. Please note, female bumblebees can sting and are more likely to do so if their nest is disturbed. If you decide to move a nest, it is done at your own risk. Some honeybee keepers may have some experience in moving bumblebee nests. You may also be able to find a commercial organisation that specialise in moving nests.
To move a nest safely it is best to do it in the dark – when all of the bees will be in the nest and docile. They might buzz a bit but they won’t fly in the dark, so it’s safest to do it then. They don’t see red light well, so if you need to see what you’re doing, put some red plastic film/acetate over a torch or use a red L.E.D. rear cycle light. Bumblebees are less likely to sting than honeybees and wasps are. However, disturbing the nest can make them behave defensively, and precautions should be taken to prevent stings occurring. While a full bee-keepers’ suit is helpful, it is not necessary. As a minimum, a person moving a nest should wear full length rubber ‘washing up’ gloves, and a long-sleeved top, and cover any exposed skin as best they can.
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