If you're one of those people who nurses tired bumblebees, giving sugar water etc...

[Judydoes2]

What would you do if you found one that had a broken wing?

Put out of misery? Take home and care for? Or leave and let nature take its course.

I have found one. I've taken it home. I am thinking of Fiona Bruce! Just curious what others would do.

I think I would leave it in the garden under a bush near a flower and water. But I suspect it may be better to kill it, just don’t think I could!

Craft a new wing out of cobwebs.

It might be a fertilised queen dropping her wings to find a nesting spot. Leave her to do whatever she needs to do.

I really don't think It's a queen @NeverDropYourMooncup . It's tiny

A little black bumblebee? About the size of your little finger nail?

They're tree bumblebees. It could be a queen.

No, It's a buff tailed bumble, like this

Leave it in a plant/on the ground with some water. We don't need to intervene with nature, the little bee will be doing what's normal and they know how to stay alive if they're meant to.

People look after wingless bees.

I watched a video quite recently about someone who rescued a bumblebee that had no wings. They made it a little home with regular fresh pollen vegetation. They would let the bee climb on their hand and everything and it became quite friendly. Was so sweet but you have to have the time and patience.

Lovely to read about someone being kind to an insect, both the OP and the Dodo article. ❤️

Here’s a great article explaining what to do - and why - if you find a bumble bee with a damaged wing.

https://www.buzzaboutbees.net/bee-wing.html#:~:text=Bumble%20bee%20wings%20often%20become,to%20forage%20for%20some%20time.

When I find a poorly bee I'll take it to the most beautiful flower I can find and pop them in there. I was told years ago that's the most peaceful way for them to pass away.

I will definitely check out that dodo article

I have been known to put ones who are obviously dying out of their misery. People who have the patience to care for a bee long term is amazing.

oh, he's so gorgeous! How amazing to think there's ways to care for them even with broken wing.

I can’t help you. But I think you’re a lovely person.

@SmirnoffIceIsNice that's the woman I mentioned earlier, Fiona. I let bees crawl on me. I've been doing it for 30 years (since I was about ten) and never have I been stung. A lot of them don't even have a sting. I've spoken to Fiona and she's absolutely lovely.

@LuckyPeonies thank you for that

@Soubriquet I often wonder if that's the right thing but I just can't put myself through it. Selfish perhaps, I know.

thank you @LaylaLjungberg . I carry syrup around with me in case I find tired ones. I have a purpose-built little tank at home and I'll bring them home and nurse them if I can if at all possible. We owe them and we need them, and half the time It's our fault they're injured/tired/starving.

@LookingForFreeDoughnuts that's lovely!

I pick a flower from the garden and let it get to the nectar.
I use this method to release them when they get stuck in the conservatory. They'll get on the flower and then I can carry them out.

Oh I do wish I hadn’t seen that photo. Was going to say leave and let nature take its course, but now …..