Bumble bees are familiar, fuzzy insects that play an important role as pollinators. Occasionally, one might find its way into a home, prompting questions about its well-being and how long it can survive indoors. Understanding their natural needs clarifies their chances of survival when accidentally trapped.
Indoor Survival of Bumble Bees
A bumble bee’s ability to survive indoors is limited compared to its natural outdoor lifespan. Without access to primary food sources like nectar and pollen, an indoor bee’s energy reserves are quickly depleted. Bees have a high metabolism, requiring a constant supply of sugar from nectar for energy, particularly for flight. A lack of pollen also prevents them from maintaining nutritional needs.
The indoor environment also presents challenges regarding water and temperature. Bumble bees need moisture, and dry indoor air can lead to rapid dehydration. Extreme indoor temperatures, especially heat, can negatively impact their energy metabolism and flight. Without these resources, a bumble bee trapped indoors usually survives only 24 to 48 hours, or just a few hours if no food is available.
Reasons Bumble Bees Enter Homes
Bumble bees often enter homes by accident, through open windows or doors during foraging flights. They may also seek shelter from adverse weather, such as sudden rain or cold. Queen bumble bees, particularly in early spring, might enter homes while searching for a suitable nesting site.
They are drawn to dark, sheltered areas that mimic natural nesting locations like abandoned rodent burrows or dense vegetation. They might also be attracted to scents or light sources visible from outside. Their presence indoors is common, especially during warmer months.
Assisting a Bumble Bee Indoors
If you find a bumble bee trapped indoors, gentle assistance can significantly improve its chances of survival. The safest method for guiding a bee back outside is to use a glass and a piece of card. Carefully place the glass over the bee, then slide the card underneath, trapping the bee inside. Once secured, carry the bee outdoors and release it.
If the bee appears lethargic or weak, it can benefit from a quick energy boost. Offer a solution of sugar water by mixing one part white granulated sugar with one part warm water. Place a few drops on a non-absorbent surface, like a spoon or a bottle cap, near the bee but not directly on it to prevent drowning. Avoid using honey, as it can contain pathogens harmful to bees. After consuming the sugar water, the bee can regain enough strength to fly away.
Bumble Bee Lifespan Outdoors
The lifespan of bumble bees varies significantly depending on their role within the colony. Worker bumble bees, who are female and forage, live for a few weeks, usually two to six weeks, during the active season. Their lives are physically demanding, with constant foraging flights leading to worn wings.
Male bumble bees, known as drones, also live for a few weeks, primarily focused on mating. Queen bumble bees, however, have a much longer lifespan, living up to a year, including a period of hibernation over winter. New queens emerge in late summer or autumn, mate, and then seek a sheltered spot to hibernate until spring, when they establish new colonies.