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Original poster

Does anyone know about bumble bees

42 replies

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 16/03/2022 08:23

We have lots of bumble bees all of a sudden. They are massive, and are hanging around the south facing front of the house, droning outside my window as I work.

I love them and they are most welcome to live in our cavity wall if that's what they are planning, but I'm not sure that is what they are doing. I keep finding them sitting on the wall, or on our front door, looking a bit tired. I gave one some honey and I think it must have eaten some, but am not sure whether this is appropriate for bumbles (as opposed to honey bees) or whether they really need my help. Are they just using my house as a massive storage heater?

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
MrsMinge · 16/03/2022 08:42

It sounds like they're looking for somewhere to build their nest but are resting at the moment
They should be gone soon
I'm a bit jealous actually
Hopefully someone with more knowledge will come along soon

tpmumtobe · 16/03/2022 08:46

www.bumblebeeconservation.org/redmasonbee/

They're probably masonry bees. They're solitary rather than nesting in a group and generally don't cause any issues. They do behave more dopily than honey bees. We weirdly get them appearing in DS bedroom at this time of year, usually one a day just hanging about on his bedroom floor. We think they come from the chimney when the weather warms up!

I just scoop them up and pop them out the window.

Eddielizzard · 16/03/2022 08:46

I'm no bee expert, but I often find bumble bees resting in my garden / windowsill / path. I put a drop of sugar water close by. If they're in danger of being stood on I pick them up and put them somewhere safe. I have never been stung and sometimes have walked quite a way with them before putting them down if I find them on a pavement. They are absolutely lovely

Don't know what they're doing around your house. Nothing ominous I'm sure - they just have good taste!

EvilPea · 16/03/2022 08:52

You can make up a sugar syrup for them, which they seem to prefer to honey.
Just a shed load of sugar and little bit of boiling water. Dip in a tissue and when cooler offer to the bee. It perks them right up and off they fly.

They could just be warming up, the temperatures are very up and down at the moment.
it’s still a bit early for tree bumble bees which nest in cavities of trees (and houses). The buff tailed (the early ones it’s likely to be) nest in the ground in holes. If you do get a nest they are fascinating, I think I accidentally disturbed one the other day and I’m hoping I’ve not put them off.

EvilPea · 16/03/2022 08:53

Male bumbles are safe to pick up. Females probably won’t sting but can sting.

Eddielizzard · 16/03/2022 08:55

How can you tell the difference between a male and a female EvilPea?

FAQs · 16/03/2022 08:56

You shouldn’t give them honey, a sugary syrup will help. I have mason bees and they build a nest around this time and can sit under them buzzing in and out and they never bother me.

nearlyspringyay · 16/03/2022 08:58

We've got loads of bumble bees in the garden at the moment. Found one on the doorstep the other day and gave some sugar syrup and off they went again.

I love bumble bees!

UnaOfStormhold · 16/03/2022 09:00

It's best not to feed honey to bees, honey or otherwise. It can transmit bee diseases while being harmless to humans, particularly as most supermarket honey is imported. Sugar water is a safer option.

www.bumblebeeconservation.org/bumblebee-species-guide/

AffIt · 16/03/2022 09:02

I love bumble bees!

Don't give bees honey that isn't from their own hive, though, as it can contain toxins that will make them ill or kill them - just a little sugar in a drop or two of water. Smile

FleurDeLizz · 16/03/2022 09:06

It’s better to offer plain water than sugar water

Gherkingreen · 16/03/2022 09:08

Follow @the_beeguy on Twitter for everything you need to know about bees, their behaviour and how to protect them. He's brilliant

Pinkywoo · 16/03/2022 09:24

I love bumblebees, but you shouldn't give honey as it can spread disease from other hives/areas, sugar water is best.

Original poster
WiseUpJanetWeiss · 16/03/2022 10:15

Thanks so much everyone, especially the sugar water tips and the bee guy. I will find and follow. Goodness knows my Twitter feed needs some more joy.
Smile

OP posts:
Papergirl1968 · 16/03/2022 10:27

My DM has a nest in her chimney which we've been quoted several thousand pounds to get rid of it - moving, not killing the bees. Apparently not doing anything with cause damage and make the house difficult to sell etc.
The bees were quiet over winter but now it is a bit milder she's getting the odd one in the house again, and if you look up at the chimney from outside there are loads swarming around it. They are stripey and look
more llike wasps.

EvilPea · 17/03/2022 09:29

@Papergirl1968

My DM has a nest in her chimney which we've been quoted several thousand pounds to get rid of it - moving, not killing the bees. Apparently not doing anything with cause damage and make the house difficult to sell etc. The bees were quiet over winter but now it is a bit milder she's getting the odd one in the house again, and if you look up at the chimney from outside there are loads swarming around it. They are stripey and look more llike wasps.
Do you know what type of bee?

Doesn’t sound like bumbles. I don’t believe they return to the same place. I have heard of honey bees doing this in chimneys though.

I do know someone who had to get pest control to kill the nest. It was very very sad, especially as the local bee keepers knew whose nest it was who had gone off and set up a new place. If the queen is accessible they can move the nest. Sometimes it’s just not possible. The bee keepers came out and inspected it before recommending the pest control company. They used the chimney otherwise they would have happily lived with them.

Papergirl1968 · 17/03/2022 10:41

Probably honey bees, EvilPea as the pest control guy was talking about how to get rid of the honey as well as the bees.

EvilPea · 17/03/2022 11:24

Yeah it will be honey bees then.
Has she spoken to her local bee keeping society? Unless there’s something else at play, the quote sounds ludicrous. If she speaks to her local bee people they should be able to help point her in the right direction, or at least reassure her it’s a reasonable quote

EvilPea · 17/03/2022 11:30

@tpmumtobe

www.bumblebeeconservation.org/redmasonbee/

They're probably masonry bees. They're solitary rather than nesting in a group and generally don't cause any issues. They do behave more dopily than honey bees. We weirdly get them appearing in DS bedroom at this time of year, usually one a day just hanging about on his bedroom floor. We think they come from the chimney when the weather warms up!

I just scoop them up and pop them out the window.

Red mason bees are brilliant, better pollinators than honey bees, don’t sting and are cute little furry things!. It’s still a bit early for them, this is a lovely project to get involved in. They send you cocoons, and nesting material. You then send back your cocoons, they collect them, check them and send some back. It’s truly fascinating watching them hatch.

www.masonbees.co.uk/

EvilPea · 17/03/2022 11:50

@Eddielizzard

How can you tell the difference between a male and a female EvilPea?
It really depends on the type of bee. Boy bees aren’t pollen collectors and tend to have hairier faces (which is tricky when you’ve not got one to compare to) they also come out later than the females. So no pollen on the back legs and a Hipster beard - male.

I was taught by a wildlife expert (as a rough quick guide) that for the normal bumbles, the males tend to have more bigger black faces than the females. So I use that as a guide, for the kids. It makes sense when you see them together later in the year.

That said. As the PP, I’ve picked up lots and not had a problem.

Eddielizzard · 17/03/2022 12:30

EvilPea thanks. Yes it's me that picks them up all the time. Which is why I was worried when you said that females sting! I thought they didn't, but I will carry on picking them up. Can't stand to see them resting on busy pavements where it's only a matter of time that they get stood on.

EvilPea · 17/03/2022 12:35

@Eddielizzard

EvilPea thanks. Yes it's me that picks them up all the time. Which is why I was worried when you said that females sting! I thought they didn't, but I will carry on picking them up. Can't stand to see them resting on busy pavements where it's only a matter of time that they get stood on.
No I’m the same, so easily missed. Like worms after rain!
Papergirl1968 · 17/03/2022 17:07

Thanks, EvilPea, I'm impressed at your knowledge!in
Mom has dementia so it will be my siblings and I sorting it out. We will get in touch with a beekeepers group and see what they think.

EvilPea · 17/03/2022 17:14

@Papergirl1968

Thanks, EvilPea, I'm impressed at your knowledge!in Mom has dementia so it will be my siblings and I sorting it out. We will get in touch with a beekeepers group and see what they think.
I’m so sorry to hear that. Dementia is an utter bastard. Flowers

I hope the local bee keepers can help. Flowers

September29th · 17/03/2022 17:42

Don't give them honey, sugar water is best.
I pick them up if they are in a dangerous place and put them near a drop of water or sugar water, somewhere out of sight, and keep an eye on them in case a bird takes them.