Are there attractants that help with occupying a hive?
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What you will learn here
- Is an attractant necessary for bumblebee nesting?
- What has proven successful for breeders in the Czech Republic?
- What do the available sources and studies say?
- What do Bumblebee PLUS and other breeders recommend?
Last updated: 21/03/2026
- You can house bumblebees in a hive even without attractants — if you follow our instructions.
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Natural attractants work best: bumblebee queens are most attracted to the smell and microclimate of abandoned vole nests and natural cavities.
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Fine rabbit fur and clean vole nests are excellent attractants for the buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) and related species.
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Dog hair can also work: but only the fine fraction and only from a dog without antiparasitics and perfumed shampoos.
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Part of the old lining is useful – attractants from last year's nest must be free of any residual parasites.
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A lavender hedge after one season helps.
- Scientific studies confirm the importance of scent: mothers seek out areas frequented by small mammals.
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A natural attractant is not just a smell, but also a microclimate: stable temperature, dryness, dim light, and protection from the wind.
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The surrounding environment plays a big role: bumblebee queens prefer nests located in mosaic landscapes, on forest edges and close to spring food.
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There is no „magic scent“: no single synthetic chemical attractant works reliably.
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The best attractant = a combination of organic odours, a good nest site, but also correct nest preparation and queen settling procedures.
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Don't look for one magic bullet, but solve all the necessary details.
The foundation of success when establishing bumblebees is
New beekeepers often ask us how to increase the success rate of bumblebees establishing in a hive.
If you read our guides, you'll learn that success isn't down to one magic bullet/factor, but rather a combination of details that work together as a whole, but don't work in isolation:
- The breeder must have a good trick up their sleeve
- The shock must be placed in the correct place and at the correct time
- The enclosure must be properly prepared and have good littering in sufficient quantities.
- The breeder can leave it to nature whether the bumblebee mother finds him herself.
- If the breeder is actively settling the mother, it must be a mother who is herself looking for a nesting place, is ready for it, and is not already nesting elsewhere.
- The breeder can actively offer the doe a scare, but this must then be done very gently, quickly and without stress or transport – see our recommended procedures.
- The mother doesn't have to settle down straight away because she's not ready, the surrounding conditions, or the weather isn't suitable for her, etc, so it takes time and patience.
- Ultimately, it is the mother who decides for herself, according to coded behavioural patterns and, above all, that mysterious female instinct which tells her YES/NO.
Is there a universal spell that will help?
Many novice breeders are looking for some additional “magic” to help them. They don't really believe that the steps mentioned above are sufficient in most cases. Therefore, they are not looking for what seems like a “detail” that they are not doing correctly, and thus are unsuccessful. They are even more so looking for that “something” that could help them in their first season.
Our experience confirms that if a beginner breeder sticks to our basic procedures, then with a little luck, they will succeed.
Attractants that suit some species of bumblebees may not suit others.
For example:
- The buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) likes to seek out burrows left by small rodents.
- The garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) likes to nest in abandoned bird nests.
- The bumblebee (Bombus pascuorum) gets by with a bit of old grass (last year's grass), moss, etc.
That's why we don't believe in or promote any universal spells, because we don't use them ourselves. If we do use them, then minimally, for example, for settling the buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lucorum), or for rare species that require increased care.
So let's look at what is often discussed, and that is scent attractant.
A bumblebee nest (Bombus pascuorum) in a grass pile
Internet Photo
A look into the nest, where a flap is consistently used.
Photo O. Hercog
Co je to pachový atraktant?
A scent attractant is a chemical substance or mixture of substances that attracts a specific type of organism – usually an insect – by mimicking a smell that the species naturally seeks out.
It's actually „a scent that says: Come here“.
On this page, we will discuss the influence of scent attractants on bumblebee colony establishment. We will omit the issue of bumblebee parasites.
Why don't we believe in guaranteed attractants? Because it is a complex of necessary conditions for successful settlement.
The scent attractant works, but certainly not on its own. From our experience, we know that bumblebees themselves settle in places where they don't necessarily come into contact with the scent of rodents etc.
Examples where we found bumblebee nests:
- Upholstery
- Old teddy bears
- Glass and mineral wool high in the roof
- Old mattress
- Pieces of gel
- Old paper napkins
- Rolled-up carpet
- Old fur
- Grave
- Smoker
- „The meeting“
- Mess in the flat under the cupboard
- etc.
Bombus humilis bumblebee nest
Photo: V. Cach 2021
Proven solutions and experience from Čmeláci PLUS and experienced breeders
Our tips below work, just use them in small quantities – in the core of the new lining.
Consider for yourselves which path you will take.
If you are going to use any attractant, then really Just a little to the middle of the nest.
Try it and share your experiences with us.
A clean and „fragrant“ vole nest
- The common vole (Microtus arvalis) is a gift for bumblebees
- A dry nest, free of pests and with a slight „mousy“ smell, is a natural sign of a suitable location for bumblebees.
- Great for the Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)
Field vole (Microtus arvalis)
Photo: Dieter DT WIKI
Vole hnízdo
Photo: Internet
Vole hnízdo
Photo: Barn Owl Trust
Voles vs. mice – what's the difference?
The European field mouse is called “Europäische Feldmaus“ in German. (Maus = mouse). In English, it is called „Common vole“.
The vole and the mouse are sometimes confused, and some documents on bumblebees mention how bumblebees react to mouse droppings and urine as an attractant. However, it is more complex than that.
Although often confused with one another, voles and mice are not the same. They belong to different rodent groups and have distinct appearances, behaviours, and lifestyles.
Vole It is a specialist in underground life, building extensive tunnels and spherical nests of grass (usually 10–14 cm) in its burrows.
Mice they don't usually build spherical nests like voles – they tend to use hiding places, cracks, and hollows, lining them with soft material, but not as carefully as voles.
Vole's nest
- spherical, made of fine grass
- stable microclimate
- protected in underground burrows
- Distinctive peculiar smell
- The perfect place for a bumblebee queen
Mouse nest
- less stable
- simpler
- often diverse material
- less isolated
Bumblebees prefer vole nests because they offer better insulation, materials, and humidity. If such a nest is not available in the wild, they will also readily use nests of other small rodents of the genus *Mus*.
Note
- In his works, Dave Goulson does not explicitly state the smell and scent profile of the vole as a significant attractant, but our experience and later studies describe smell as one of the attractants.
Source: O’Connor, Park & Goulson (2017) „Location of bumblebee nests is predicted by counts of nest‑searching queen“ - Nestor of bumblebee breeding in the Czech Republic, Mr. Miroslav Stuchl, if he didn't have field mice/vole nests available from nature, used some mouse nests from pet shops, i.e. shops for breeders.
Laboratory mouse – nest
Photo: Profimedia Photo Bank
Fine rabbit fur
- Rabbits are rodents, and their burrows in the wild are used by bumblebees for nesting.
- The fine fur plucked by the female rabbit for her young works well from the nest.
- Very attractive to _B. lucorum_, but it is also suitable for other bumblebee species in general.
Why do bumblebees use rabbit burrows?
- stable microclimate (heat, humidity)
- space suitable for larger species (e.g. Bombus terrestris)
- insulating material (hay, hair, dry litter)
- Easy availability in the cultural landscape (in some countries)
Source:
- Goulson – Bumblebees: Their Behaviour and Ecology (2003)
- Svensson & Lundberg (1977)
- Fussell & Corbet (1992)
- Colla et al. (2014) – Bumble Bees of North America
Lining – Raw cotton – Rabbit fur core before covering with another layer of lining
Photo: O. Hercog (25/02/2024)
Bumblebees PLUS – Lining – Jute felt – Rabbit fur core before covering with another layer of lining
Photo: O. Hercog (25/02/2024)
Brushed fine dog hair
- The fine fraction of domestic dog fur also works
- Careful The dog must not be treated with an antiparasitic (ticks and etc.) or scented shampoo
Note
- This material was successfully tested by Luděk Šulda. No scientific work confirms it, but it works.
- Bumblebees won't find such material in nature, yet it suits them. Apparently, the structure suits them more than the smell, which they cannot be „taught“ in nature.
Brushed fine dog hair
Photo: L. Šulda (03/05/2026)
Lining from last year's nest
- The clean part of last year's bedding, free of parasites.
- See instructions for lining treatment.
- The old lining can be used to flavouring a new lining.
Note
- If you heat-treat the lining, it will make it a poorer attractant, but it will mean a lower risk of parasite/disease transmission.
Last year's lining
Photo: O. Hercog (20/03/2026)
Part of last year's bumblebee nest – not in use
- Will it work well in terms of smell
- It doesn't stimulate the queen to lay as much as live cocoons, but the transfer of scent might help, like with last year's bedding.
- It is safer to use this material for scenting the lining
Note
- The risk of parasite transmission is highest here – therefore this solution is not very We do not recommend and we won't use it ourselves either
Bumblebee nest dismantled after the season
Photo: O. Hercog
A hint of the scent of last season.
- A bumblebee trap used once is full of their smell, even if you clean it after the season – a bumblebee nest smells lovely
- A used lure lined with cardboard is also an attractant.
- The old corridor will work similarly, but you will clean it and rinse it thoroughly with hot water
Note:
- Fright after the season, make sure to clean – remove dirt
- You can safely place bumblebees into a new hive as well, provided you don't paint it just before the season.
- A number of breeders don't bother with cleaning the corridor and settle without any problems
Hives at the end of the season – before cleaning out
Photo: O. Hercog (01/03/2026)
Old bird's nest as an attractant for Bombus lucorum – we are not using it
- Part of a bird's nest from last year can be a good attractant for the large earth bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum).
- Willy nilly, hoverflies will settle in glass wool/mineral wool, if they have lived there once, they will do so even more willingly.
Note
- We haven't tested this material. We'll let you know if we proceed with it.
- We will certainly then process the material from the bird's nest so that it does not contain any dangerous long fibres.
A bumblebee nest (Bombus hypnorum) in a bird box
Photo The Peace Bee Farmer
Further materials
- We are often asked about further materials, such as horsehair, cat hair, etc.
- These materials, if the animal has not been treated for parasites, could work, provided they are fine enough
- In principle, bumblebees do not seek them out because they do not commonly encounter such materials in nature and are therefore not prepared for them.
Note
- We want to test these materials, can you get involved with us
Footprints of a related species' pheromones
- This is really „advanced stuff“, and it's complemented by the use of material from last season.
- The breeder will use material and traces from the nest of a specific species to establish/breed bumblebees of the same or a related species.
Note
- The technique is mainly suitable for specialised breeders and rare bumblebee species
- It is effective — but in practice quite difficult and not readily available
What does science confirm and how does it align with our observations?
The nests of small mammals - natural attractant No. 1 for ground-nesting species
Mice and voles' nests in the wild containing:
- Microbial odours
- Fur remnants
- General old organic material from the nest of small rodents
All together it creates a unique scent cocktail that tells the mother: „Here is a stable microclimate, suitable for a rodent nest, which is also suitable for bumblebees.“
Source O’Connor, Park & Goulson (2017) „Location of bumblebee nests is predicted by counts of nest‑searching queens“
Mouse or vole nests in the laboratory also contain urine and faeces. Both act as attractants. However, it is also necessary to mention their unpleasant smell and hygiene reasons, for which we don't really recommend such a solution.
Source Varner et al. 2023 – Rodent odour bait: A new bumblebee conservation tool to enhance nest box occupancy.
Packs of old bumblebee nests
Mothers react to:
- VOSK
- old wax works and their remains
- bumblebee footprints
- Cuticular hydrocarbons on the nest surface
These chemical traces are very strong attractants
Source: Orlova & Amsalem (2021) „„Bumble bee queen pheromones are context-dependent“
Therefore, we recommendIt's a new scare „to sniff“ Bumblebees.
„Indirect type“ attractants – environment and landscape
Queens prefer nesting sites:
- near the spring flowers
- in a mosaic landscape (woodland edge + open meadow) or in a diverse garden
- with enough food to feed their young
Source:
- Lanterman et al. 2019 „Habitat Preference and Phenology of Nest‑Seeking and Foraging Spring Bumble Bee Queens in Northeastern North America“
- Lanterman et al. 2023 „Habitat Preference and Phenology of Nest-Seeking and Foraging Spring Bumble Bee Queens in Northeastern North America’
Microclimate – underestimated, but key component
Bumblebee queens are looking for cavities that are:
- Slightly damp
- sheltered from the wind
- Dark
- steadily warm
- with a narrow entrance (tunnel, passage)
- anything that imitates a natural rodent burrow
Rodent droppings as a cue for founding bumblebee queens?
The first real study, which took place in America on its bumblebees, was only published in 2023. It tested a synthetic mouse excrement scent as an attractant for bumblebees. The study shows that bumblebees can detect the scent of mouse nests and that this can increase nest occupancy. However, this is new research, not something written by D. Goulson (see above).
Abstract
- The protection of bumblebees primarily focuses on supplementing floral resources. However, the availability of nesting sites is also closely linked to bumblebee abundance. As a supplement to natural nesting sites, artificial nests can be deployed and furnished with synthetic lures.
- Because bumblebee queens are reported to establish colonies in abandoned rodent burrows, we hypothesised that bumblebee queens can perceive and behaviourally respond to rodent odour, and that baits with synthetic rodent odour can guide spring queens into nest boxes.
- We collected volatile substances from bedding contaminated with urine and faeces from laboratory mice (Mus musculus) and identified 10 odorants that elicited responses on the queens' antennae.
- To test the attractiveness of mouse odour to queens in the field, we placed pairs of nest boxes on trees in flower-rich locations and, in each pair, inserted clean bedding into one box and mouse-soiled bedding into the other.
- The queens established colonies in 17 boxes with a mouse scent and in six boxes without a scent. This 43% occupancy rate for boxes with a mouse scent represents a significant improvement compared to the approximately 10% occupancy rate typically seen in unscented boxes. In a further field experiment, we filled one nest box in each pair with synthetic mouse bait and found that the queens established colonies in 13 baited nest boxes and in six control nest boxes without bait. In particular, Bombus mixtus established seven colonies in baited nest boxes and only one in an unbaited nest box.
Key findings
- Bumblebee queens (Bombus spp.) can detect and react behaviourally to the scents of mouse urine, faeces and fur.
„In GC-EAD analyses, 10 headspace odourants of soiled mouse bedding elicited antennal responses from queen…“ - Mice droppings significantly increase nest occupancy – roughly threefold compared to controls.
„Eighteen (43%) of the mouse-scented nest boxes were occupied, whereas only seven (17%) of the unscented boxes…“ - A synthetic lure that imitates the smell of mice also increases occupancy, although less than natural material.
„Queens established colonies in 13 baited boxes and in six unbaited control boxes.“
What the study doesn't say
- It does not address whether bumblebees prefer the scent of a specific rodent species (only *Mus musculus*).
- It does not investigate whether the scent works in underground enclosures (the experiments were conducted on trees).
- It does not address the long-term impact on colony success (all were destroyed by the greater wax moth).
Bumblebee PLUS Note
- The study focused on the olfactory attractant, not on the influence of other parameters and conditions such as fright, etc.
- In our opinion, the outcome would have been different if the cells had been correctly prepared – but we do not underestimate the influence of the attractant
- Our recommendation remains the same – the smell of urine and droppings from small rodents is not enough on its own for the successful occupation of a bumblebee nest.
Source
- Rodent odour bait: A new bumble bee conservation tool to enhance nest box occupancy (2023).
The attached image illustrates the procedure used in the project.
If you want your nest to smell good and not stink, we definitely do not recommend this solution!
Illustrative image from study
Source: Rodent odour bait – A new bumble bee conservation tool
What doesn't really exist and what not to look for
❌ no known universal chemical that reliably „attracts“ a mother from a distance
❌ No verified synthetic pheromone
❌ No simple commercial scent that works universally
Source:
- Orlova & Amsalem (2021) „„Bumble bee queen pheromones are context-dependent“
A breeder's summary – practical and clear
NSearch for one spell, of the „scent attractant“ type, but address all necessary details.
✔ What most attracts the mother to settle is a set of multiple conditions:
- rodent nests
- bumblebee nests
- dry, isolated cavities
- suitable material that bumblebees can process
- stable microclimate
- Presence of nectar-producing plants in the vicinity
✔ Best and guaranteed „attractant“:
- complex of natural organic scents and instructions on our website
A bumblebee is not a simple creature – it reacts to a combination of signals and conditions, not to a single substance!
Further sources of information
- Bumblebees: Their Behaviour and Ecology (Oxford University Press)
- Bumblebees: Behaviour, Ecology, and Conservation (Oxford Academic)