How to recognise endangered bumblebee nests, options for protection
What you will learn here
- Where can you find endangered bumblebee nests
- What to do with such a nest
- Who can you turn to for help?
Bumblebee nest in danger
Sometimes bumblebees unhappily set up home in places where they are themselves at risk:
- It could be theirs a nest that you unintentionally destroy
- It could be, for example nest in the compost, which you are currently manipulating
- Sometimes bumblebees stay in the way, which you use
- You can also Discovering a nest during the refurbishment of a house, shed, on the meadow during haymaking etc.
- It can also be a nest that the dog dug up
- Sometimes you accidentally kick a spot where bumblebees are nesting
- Bumblebees Sometimes they nest in places you wouldn't expect.an old blanket on the balcony, fur in the gazebo, in a cavity in the garage, in wellington boots standing somewhere in a corner, …
Do not let dogs dig in burrows. Photo J. Čížek
Bumblebee nest in an underground cavity
Stock Photos Images Alamy
Sometimes you might encounter a bumblebee nest even during outdoor groundwork. The nest might be severely damaged, but it can still be collected and saved if the queen bee is present.
Steve Harris provided us with a video of an unfortunate accidental encounter with a bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) nest. He filmed the video in his garden in May 2020 in his garden in Suffolk (United Kingdom – UK).
Petra searched for a place where the buff-tailed bumblebee queen flies. Eventually, she found a cavity in the wall of the garage. There was nothing she could do here, so she just marked it and left the window open so the bumblebees would have a clear path.
The buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) has made its home in a cavity in the floor of the garage
Photo P. Benešová (04/2020)
Sometimes bumblebees will find an old blanket or fur on the porch and make their home there.
Pamela White provided us with a video of her finding, filmed in April 2020 in Chattanooga, Tennessee (US).
In all these cases A bumblebee nest is in danger and needs human help.
Even though bumblebees will defend their nest, there is no need to be afraid of them. It is possible to help them and save their nest.
If possible, leave the nest in situ
Let the bumblebees calm down and at night, preferably in red light (torch, bicycle rear light, etc.) try to return their home to its original condition, or at least put it into a usable state.
If you crashed into their home, Try to cover it and leave it to be. A larger pot with a chipped rim is enough, which you can use to cover the dug-up spot so that, so that they can fly on through.It can also be a slab or a large stone. Always, however, with a clear path to the nest.
The compost can be turned from the other side., Don't use the bag for a while. etc.
If you have discovered a bumblebee nest that could be endangered by mowing, mark the spot. the sign, so you don't miss it.
Sign at the site of a bumblebee nest
Photo Bora Ovčín
Nice Rescue of a ransacked nest as performed by Jarda Krausa from HZS Pardubice
Jarda replaced the messy corridor to the nest with a hose and also made a beautiful portal to the entrance of the nest, thanks to which it no longer rains into the nest.
Firefighter's nest rescue
Photo J. Kraus (5/2020)
If the nest cannot be left at the site of discovery, bumblebees can be evacuated.
If none of the previous options are suitable, evacuation of bumblebees is possible. It is truly extreme case, because Moving a nest that is not under threat is in direct violation of the law..
However, in cases where The nest is severely damaged, directly endangered, and would be lost without intervention. Evacuation is the last resort for its rescue..
How is this resolved? The nest, or rather its remains, are transferred to a hive on site, the bumblebees from the nest are caught, and The nest will be moved to a new location, as far as possible from the original one., so that the bumblebees do not return (preferably to a distance of more than 3 km).
The work isn't complicated, but beginner breeders are apprehensive about it. That's why it came about Bumblebee Rapid Response as a selfless service from Bumblebees PLUS sight HERE
When it doesn't make sense to evacuate the nest
Sometimes a bumblebee nest is so damaged that Evacuation is no longer possible:
- if the rescuer is not sufficiently equipped and determined
- if at least part of the nest with cocoons, the queen and workers cannot be evacuated
- It is impossible to evacuate worker bees without the nest; they would seek it out and perish without it.
- if the rescuer cannot go and catch the remaining workers who will be looking for a place at the original location the next day
Is it better to leave the bees in place, cover them so that they don't get wet from the rain and so that the bees can fly out?. HA nest without a mother perishes. Theoretically, it is possible to transfer the remaining cocoons, but this is already a job for experienced individuals and there isn't much chance of success here…