Bumblebee anyone?

choille

Yes - we seem to have the jinormous ones about this year too.

Magpye

I've only seen one bumbler this year, but it was colossal - so big it scared the cat! Tons of honeybees out on my heather on Sunday though, so nice to see them.

Does anyone have one of those bumblebee houses in their garden? I was thinking about getting one but not sure as they're quite expensive.

radiohelen

We've had loads here in the Midlands.....and a ginormous one flew in the kitchen the other day - had to herd it out.....seriously, got me a whip and a board to try and wrangle it out the door! Not seen any honey bees though Have sunflowers and nasturtiums growing nicely to plant out later and attract them!

bubbles0169

goldfinch68 wrote: »

It's the honeybee and the reason they are in decline is a mite which is killing them. Apparently there are lots of different species of honeybee and its a serious problem so I've been told by someone who keeps bees because the mite is easily transferred. If they all died out, no pollination, no crops, no food for us...

hellooo could you ask your friend why ive go a carpet of honey bees in my garden
we're in a new build plot, and weve only just seeded the garden for grass, do they think its the grass seed attracting them
i also have huge bumble bees
its just weird as i have no plants,well maybe the odd weed, just the grass seed!

wearside_2

My wife has some 35 Bees:eek: and I often stop what I am doing whenever they come into view:D

Rummer

I was chased round the garden by one today!

Filey

Magpye wrote: »

I've only seen one bumbler this year,
Does anyone have one of those bumblebee houses in their garden? I was thinking about getting one but not sure as they're quite expensive.

I have read that if you bury an old teapot in the garden, leaving the spout sticking out a bit, a bumblebee will climb down into it and construct a nest. I intend to buy a cheapo teapot at a car boot sale and try it. It may be late for this Spring but a queen bee might like to hibernate in it in the Autumn.

[Deleted User]

Magpye wrote: »

Does anyone have one of those bumblebee houses in their garden? I was thinking about getting one but not sure as they're quite expensive.

You don't need a purpose built house, it does need to be in the right place though. They won't go anywhere damp. They nested in my garden in between some lumps of rock with a piece of slate laid over it at the bottom of the hedge. They made a lovely dry ball of moss and grass - I know 'cos we accidentally dug it up bees and all! No harm done though as we put it back down quickly and they settled in again.

This site has some nice simple info on Bumble Bees.

http://hercules.users.netlink.co.uk/Bee.html

sammyjammy

EssexGirl wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:Nearly choked on my cuppa :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I've seen a fair few huge bees here too. And spiders, I saw one the size of a small island in the garden this morning. I'm sure I heard it walk away from it's hidey hole under last years gro-bag.

OMG:eek: don't say things like that, I'm going to have to check everywhere I sit/sleep for big spiders now, you've sent a shiver down my spine and not in a good way.

Jake'sGran

retrocircles wrote: »

I see a few a day, though they're HUGE!

Same here and I am so pleased as I read that they were dying out. We do have a lot bee friendly plants = if only I could learn how to post a photo of our garden. I think I am quite bright but so far I have failed to master this.