Bumblebees are important pollinators for many plants, including fruits, vegetables, and wildflowers. Their activity supports both natural ecosystems and agricultural production. They are generally docile and unlikely to sting unless provoked or their nest is disturbed. Understanding their nesting habits can satisfy curiosity, aid observation, or help manage their presence when nests are near human activity.
What are Bumblebee Nests Like?
Bumblebee nests differ from honeybee hives. Most are located underground or at ground level, rather than hanging from trees. Internally, nests appear somewhat disorganized, with small, irregular wax pots for nectar storage and wax brood cells where young bees develop. Larvae mature within silk cocoons.
Nests incorporate insulating materials like grass, moss, or fur. Unlike honeybees, bumblebees produce little honey, storing only a few days’ worth of food, making them vulnerable to shortages. A mature colony is also much smaller than a honeybee colony, often with as few as 50 individuals.
Where Do Bumblebees Nest?
Bumblebees prefer to nest in sheltered, often dark spaces that provide insulation. A common nesting site is an abandoned rodent burrow, offering a pre-existing, insulated cavity. They may also establish nests in dense grass tussocks or other thick ground vegetation.
Other potential locations include compost heaps, log piles, bird boxes, wall cavities, or spaces underneath sheds. Bumblebees utilize existing cavities and do not excavate their own nests, meaning they do not cause structural damage.
How to Observe and Locate a Nest?
Locating a bumblebee nest involves patient observation. Watch foraging bees to identify consistent flight paths. Bees typically fly in a direct line between their food source and their nest. Following a bee’s flight can lead you towards its colony.
Look for a steady stream of bees entering or exiting a small opening, indicating a nest. This activity is most noticeable during warmer parts of the day when bees are active. A nest becomes easier to spot as the colony grows and more workers increase traffic at the entrance. Maintaining a respectful distance, ideally several feet, is important for safe observation.
Observe the frequency and direction of bee movement. A consistent flow of bees to and from a specific point, especially if they disappear into a small hole or dense vegetation, suggests a nearby nest. The colony’s peak population, usually later in the season, is the best time to observe increased activity around the nest entrance.
Coexisting with a Bumblebee Nest
Once a bumblebee nest is located, it is best to leave it undisturbed. Bumblebees are docile and will only sting if threatened or their nest is provoked. Their colonies are annual, lasting one season, typically a few months, and naturally dying out by late autumn.
Maintain a respectful distance from the nest entrance and avoid blocking access. Bumblebees are important pollinators, and their presence indicates a healthy local environment. Relocating a nest is unnecessary and stressful for the colony. Professional intervention is rarely needed unless the nest poses an unavoidable threat, which is uncommon given their non-aggressive nature.