Bumble bees, with their fuzzy appearance and characteristic buzzing, are familiar and important pollinators, playing a significant role in the health of both wild ecosystems and agricultural crops. A noticeable increase in their presence around your home often indicates a thriving local environment that supports these beneficial creatures.
Why Bumble Bees Are Active Now
Bumble bees operate on an annual life cycle, dictating their activity patterns. In early spring, queen bumble bees emerge from winter hibernation. They spend weeks foraging for nectar and pollen to regain strength while searching for a suitable nesting site. Once a nest is established, the queen lays her first batch of eggs, caring for them until the first generation of female worker bees emerges.
These new worker bees soon take over foraging duties, allowing the queen to remain in the nest and focus on laying more eggs. As summer progresses, the colony grows, reaching its peak size with 50 to 500 workers by mid-July to August. This peak population explains heightened bumble bee activity around your home during warmer months.
What Draws Bumble Bees to Your Yard
Bumble bees are primarily drawn to abundant food sources and available water. As generalist foragers, they collect nectar and pollen from a wide variety of flowering plants. They are particularly drawn to flowers that offer continuous bloom from April through September. Bees perceive colors differently than humans, with a strong preference for blue, violet, and purple hues, which often indicate higher nectar content.
Specific plants that attract bumble bees include early-blooming options like chives and dandelions, and summer favorites such as nasturtiums, coneflowers, bee balm, and spearmint. Sedum varieties like ‘Autumn Joy’ continue to provide sustenance later in the season. Bumble bees also pollinate many fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, and cranberries, often using a unique “buzz pollination” technique to release pollen. A shallow water source with rocks provides a safe drinking spot.
Common Nesting Spots for Bumble Bees
Bumble bees are social insects that establish colonies for a single season. Unlike honey bees, they seek existing cavities for nests rather than constructing elaborate hives. These sites typically offer shelter and insulation, often located close to the ground.
Common nesting locations around residential areas include abandoned rodent burrows, dense clumps of grass, mossy vegetation, compost piles, or under sheds. They may also utilize man-made structures such as neglected birdhouses, wall cavities, or gaps behind siding. Nests are typically lined with insulating materials like leaves or animal fur. While a colony can contain 50 to 400 individuals, activity around a nest entrance is usually light to moderate.
Living Alongside Bumble Bees
Bumble bees are generally docile and unlikely to sting unless threatened or their nest is disturbed. Male bumble bees cannot sting. While female workers can sting multiple times, they are far less prone to do so than other stinging insects. They do not exhibit swarming behavior, which reduces potential conflict.
Coexisting with bumble bees involves giving them space and avoiding swatting. If a nest is discovered, leave it undisturbed; these colonies are annual and naturally die off by late fall. Relocating a bumble bee nest is challenging and not recommended. Their role as effective pollinators for wild plants and many food crops, particularly their ability to forage in cooler temperatures and lower light levels, highlights the benefit of their presence in your yard.