Bumble bees, recognized by their large, furry bodies and buzzing flight, are social insects belonging to the genus Bombus. With over 250 known species, they are found predominantly in the Northern Hemisphere and live in organized groups with a single queen. Like many other bee species, bumble bees construct nests to house their colonies and raise their young.
Nesting Locations
Bumble bees do not build elaborate, hanging structures like honeybees; instead, they primarily establish their nests in pre-existing cavities. They seek dry, sheltered, and insulated spaces for protection from elements and predators. Common locations include abandoned rodent burrows, dense clumps of grass, and compost piles. Some species may also utilize man-made structures such as bird boxes, spaces under sheds, or even wall cavities and tree holes. While some bumble bee species prefer underground sites, others nest on the surface or in elevated locations. Bumble bees do not chew wood or cause structural damage, as they simply occupy existing spaces.
Nest Construction
Nest construction begins with a queen emerging from winter hibernation in spring. She spends several weeks foraging for food and searching for a suitable nesting site. Once a location is chosen, the queen starts the nest by collecting available insulating materials like dried grass, moss, or even discarded animal bedding. Within this insulated chamber, the queen secretes wax flakes from her abdomen to create small, cup-like structures. These wax pots store nectar and pollen. Unlike honeybees’ highly organized, hexagonal combs, bumble bee nests appear irregular and lumpy, featuring wax cells and pollen masses.
Inside the Nest
A bumble bee nest contains the queen, worker bees, developing brood, and stored food. The queen lays eggs directly onto a pollen mass; these hatch into white, C-shaped larvae within four to six days. Larvae consume surrounding pollen as they grow, molting before pupating.
The queen initially cares for the brood and forages. Once the first generation of female worker bees emerges, they take over foraging and nest maintenance. The queen then focuses on laying more eggs, remaining within the nest.
The colony maintains a consistent temperature of 25 to 32 degrees Celsius for brood development, with the queen shivering flight muscles to generate heat if needed. Throughout the season, the colony grows, typically reaching 50 to 400 individuals, varying by species. Towards summer’s end, the queen produces new queens and males. These new queens mate, leave the nest to build fat reserves, and hibernate alone for winter, ensuring species continuation.