Bumble bee Help

[Chilli P]

Iv just found a large Bumble bee outside my back door on the floor not moving but is still alive, iv put it into an egg box with some kitchen roll folded up & dampened & put some honey on it, iv made holes in the top of box but not sure what else i can put the Bee in? The Bee is quite muddy but dry.

I can now hear it moving in the box or chewing, any advise would be welcome as i have already picked up 2 dead ones this week


Regards

Chilli p

[Mark Ryding]

Chilli
you need to let the Bee go, they only have a short life span in any event, 3 -4 weeks at most. But she may have just become a victim of the cold weather and "shut down" as it were, having ventured forth to renew/feed the colony.
Spring seems a little late this year, and there has been a dip in temperatures which may have cought the bees out, but just let her go on a warm morning

cheers Mark

[Chilli P]

Thanks for that will let her go in the morning, I'm not sure but iv noticed 2 holes in the ground outside our Polytunnel which i think maybe the bees home? as iv had a few in there this week but got them out as nothing for them to eat at mo (strawberry flowers, courgettes etc). Maybe its abit warmer in there?

Thanks again

Chilli p

[Mark Ryding]

it is possible the Queen has mader her home in the soil, you will need to keep an eye on the "hole" to see if any more emerge, if there is a colony there should be enough stored to keep them going.
From memory I think only the queen from this species survives the winter, like the wasp, to start again, but my befuddled brain may be wrong.

cheers Mark

[Chilli P]

Today iv been searching on the net about Bumble Bees and what plants to plant for them and if they make bee houses for them which they do, then i found this one outside today. The 2 holes are right in front of the door way so as you said will have to be careful and see if there is any movement from them.

Thanks again

Chilli p

[golden14]

If a colony develops it maybe worth contacting your local bee keeper association. Whilst good for the garden/pollination they can also become a problem. If they do you may well find a local bee keeper willing to help out as due to the cold winters bees have been on the decline for the past couple of years, resulting in some 50+ thefts of entire bee hives last year according to the national newspapers early this year. Clearly there is money in honey! ALternatively you could look into bee keeping yourself