Bumble bees, recognized for their fuzzy bodies and buzzing presence in gardens, are familiar pollinators. Their nesting behaviors differ considerably from the commonly envisioned “hive” structure. Understanding these distinctions helps appreciate the diverse strategies within the bee world.
Bumble Bee Nesting Habits
Bumble bees typically establish their homes in pre-existing cavities, which they do not excavate themselves. These opportunistic nesters often choose abandoned rodent burrows, dense grass, compost piles, or even bird boxes and wall cavities. Some species prefer subterranean sites, while others may opt for ground-level spots or slightly elevated areas.
A bumble bee colony begins in spring with a single queen emerging from winter hibernation. She then searches for a dry, sheltered spot to establish her nest and lay her first eggs. The queen constructs small wax pots for nectar storage and forms a clump of pollen and wax where she lays her eggs. She alone forages, incubates the eggs by shivering her flight muscles, and defends the nascent colony.
After four to six days, the eggs hatch into larvae, which consume the surrounding pollen and nectar. These larvae grow rapidly, eventually spinning cocoons and pupating before emerging as adult worker bees after about two to three weeks. The first generation of workers takes over foraging and nest maintenance, allowing the queen to focus solely on egg-laying.
Bumble bee nests are relatively small and temporary compared to those of honey bees. A well-established nest can contain anywhere from 50 to 400 individuals. The internal structure often appears somewhat disorganized, featuring wax pots for nectar and brood cells, rather than the intricate hexagonal comb seen in honey bee hives. Bumble bee colonies are annual, with only new queens surviving to hibernate over winter and start new colonies the following spring.
Distinguishing Bumble Bee Nests from Honey Bee Hives
The structural differences between bumble bee nests and honey bee hives are pronounced. Honey bee hives are large, permanent structures known for their highly organized, intricate hexagonal wax combs. These combs are used for storing honey and pollen, as well as housing the brood. In contrast, bumble bee nests are simpler, often repurposed cavities with less structured wax cells and pots.
Colony size also presents a significant difference. Honey bee colonies are considerably larger, often housing tens of thousands of individuals, ranging from 20,000 to 80,000 bees during peak season. Bumble bee colonies are much smaller, ranging from 50 to 400 members. This disparity in population size directly impacts the scale and complexity of their respective homes.
A distinction lies in honey production. Honey bees produce and store large quantities of honey as a long-term food source, which allows their colonies to survive through winter and be harvested by humans. This honey is created by transforming nectar. Bumble bees, however, store only small amounts of nectar and pollen in wax pots for immediate consumption by the queen and young. They do not produce honey in quantities suitable for human harvest.
The longevity of their colonies varies considerably. Honey bee colonies are perennial, with the queen and a portion of the colony overwintering. Bumble bee colonies are annual; the entire colony, including the old queen and workers, dies off in the autumn, with only newly mated queens hibernating to start new colonies the following spring.