Bumblebee anyone?

bubbles0169

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rhiwfield

sammyjammy wrote: »

I've heard a lot lately about the demise of the bumblebee and how they are being wiped out but I have seen so many recently, I see at least 4 or 5 a day.

Is it just me? Maybe there is a nest nearby, they are so lovely.

Sam

We should be seeing plenty at this time of year (and we are seeing quite a few), but the bumblebees are in serious decline with extinctions and range losses.
http://www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk/bumblebees_in_crisis.htm
The honey bee is also having serious problems due to a mite.

SEE

sb44 wrote: »

I think I might do this too.

Do you dissolve the sugar in warm water first and how much sugar to water?

Yes, dissolve in warm water 2tsp of sugar then enough water to wet the sponge without it dripping.

SEE

Magpye wrote: »

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.

I have a bee skep made of pottery. The base comes off and you fill it with straw to keep them warm.

The cheapest way to keep insects happy, is to get a few canes of different thicknesses and saw them into same lengths, 8 inches is a good size. Take some garden wire and then bundle them together in a big mass. Sit the big bundle between a few logs or broken branches and cover with dry leaves, leaving the holes exposed. You will get a variety of beetles and insects including bees.

lekale

kazwookie wrote: »

I've seen about 3 today, but it may have been the same one 3 times, not sure!!!!

lol!
I rarely see any nowadays and feel the need to say to myself internally 'ooh bee' because it is such a rarity;)

SEE

A link to the pottery skep
http://www.ecotopia.co.uk/product/41/dd0450/ceramic-bee-nester.html

[Deleted User]

I have a Cotoneaster hedge that seems to draw bumble bees in. I did try burying a teapot for them but they nested in the rocks under the hedge and surprised us. So I guess you can try buying houses for them but basically they will choose their own site if its the right one - dry, out of the wind, not in full sun and not likely to be dug up.

Keep an eye out for any going in and out of the bottom of your hedges or shaded rockeries.

I've left the teapot just in case........

Larumbelle

I get masses of bees - I have sussed out where four or five different species are nesting this year and my composting dalek is never going to get used for it's intended purpose as I have guests staying there for the second year running I think our garden is very 'bee friendly', a lot of it is 'messy' for them to nest in and we have loads of flowering plants. When the apple tree blossoms (not yet, this year, obviously!) the whole garden seems to buzz!

The one species I didn't really see last year was the honey bee. I only saw three in my garden all year long. Yet it's only April and already this year I've had to 'rescue' three from my house and I've lost count of how many I've seen! I wonder if maybe someone local has got a hive started?

SamR_3

There was a Countryfile 'report' on the decline of honey bees at the weekend. There is a worldwide decline in honey bees. It is a serious issue with so much reliance on the honey bee (and other bees and insects) as pollinators. There may be some evidence that insecticides administered via the seed pod may be reaching the pollen / nectar in sufficient concetrations to cause intoxication which could be weakening the bees resistance to the mites; but the manufacturers argue that there isn't sufficient evidence that the insecticide is reaching the flowers. I would watch the report and do some digging on the internet if you are interested and make up your own mind.

VanyaHargreeves

how can you tell the difference between a honey bee and a bumblebee?