Bumble bee nest
Silverlight
Posts: 82
Making a new potting shed over the weekend and disturbed a bumble bee Nest burrowed in the ground
Loathe to disturb them but they can't stay there since this area needs to be slabbed and the kids might get stung.
I heard the nests are short-lived?
Thanks for any guidance...
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Posts
they'll only last a year, are you sure its an active one and not a old one from last year?
bumble bees rarely sting, they die afterwards, so its a last ditch sort of attack when you didn't take the 'go away' hint from being dive bombed repeatedly.
Bumble bees are very docile unless seriously provoked. They are incredibly helpful for pollinating plants and it would be a pity to destroy the nest unless absolutely necessary.
We had a nest in a low extension roof space one year, to the side of an external doorway, just feet away from a lot of family coming and going. Not once did they try to sting anybody or any of the animals. It was great watching them taking off and landing with such precision in small hole in the tile mortar. Incredibly graceful creatures.
They won't sting unless stepped on & are placid. They are also struggling due to habitat loss, in a few months time they will be gone & never nest in the same place twice. Why not grow some fruit & veg and enjoy the increased crop as perks of the pollinators.
Last edited: 22 May 2017 20:46:02
Thanks everyone I do love the bees so will leave them in peace.
My garden is full of bee friendly plants so I'm sure they will be back next year but hopefully in a different place..
I have a 'nest' on my allotment footpath - been there several years. I noticed a lot of activity yesterday, but they have never been a problem - I just try to remember where it is and skirt round their little hole.