When you encounter a bee resting motionless on the ground, your instinct to help is well-placed. Bees often land due to temporary challenges like exhaustion, a sudden drop in air temperature, or disorientation, especially during changeable weather. Providing a quick, safe intervention can help the bee recover and return to its colony. This guide offers actionable steps to assist a grounded bee.
Assessing the Bee’s Condition
Before offering aid, observe the bee safely to determine its specific issue without touching it directly. A bee that is simply tired or cold will move slowly, perhaps shivering slightly, but its limbs and wings will appear intact. If the bee is wet or sluggish in cool weather, it primarily needs warmth to raise its body temperature for flight. Look for signs of physical injury, such as crumpled or missing wings or a noticeable struggle with its legs, which suggests a problem beyond fatigue. If the body is blackened or movements are erratic, the bee may be at the end of its natural lifespan or suffering from disease, and intervention is unlikely to succeed.
Providing Immediate Energy
If the bee appears tired but uninjured, a simple sugar solution provides the rapid energy needed for flight. To make this emergency food, dissolve two parts of white granulated sugar in one part of water. The water should be boiled and then allowed to cool completely before mixing. A small amount, such as two teaspoons of sugar mixed with one teaspoon of water, is sufficient for a single bee.
Once the solution has cooled, apply a single small drop using a teaspoon or bottle cap very close to the bee’s head. Do not apply the solution directly onto its body. The bee will use its proboscis, a straw-like mouthpart, to sip the liquid if it requires the energy boost. Avoid making the bee sticky, as this impedes its ability to clean itself and fly.
Creating a Safe Recovery Space
After receiving the sugar solution, or if the bee is cold or wet, it needs a safe place to rest and recover. Carefully encourage the bee onto a piece of paper or a small leaf to move it safely, avoiding direct handling. The ideal temporary location is a sheltered spot that is warm and dry, such as on a sunny windowsill or under a porch.
This temporary relocation allows the bee time to dry its wings and raise its body temperature, which is necessary for flight. If the bee remains in this sheltered area for an extended period, you can provide a small, separate drop of fresh water nearby. The goal is to offer a supportive environment for recovery before the bee continues its journey back to the colony.
Actions to Avoid and When to Step Back
Certain substances and actions can be harmful to bees. Never offer honey, as it can contain spores of Paenibacillus larvae, which causes American foulbrood disease—a highly contagious and lethal illness for bee larvae. Stick strictly to the white granulated sugar solution, avoiding brown sugar, artificial sweeteners, or any other substances.
Do not touch the bee with your bare hands, as this causes stress and may damage its delicate exoskeleton or wings. If the bee does not move or show signs of recovery after 30 to 45 minutes in the sheltered area, it is likely succumbing to natural causes, such as old age or irreparable damage. At this point, the most appropriate action is to step back.