Bumpkin Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 I've just opened a drawer full of old stuff and woken a queen bumble bee! She's huge and no longer asleep. I've gently trapped her under a large glass but not sure if it's ok to turf her outside in this weather, will she die? Any advice appreciated. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
natty01295 Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Information regarding what bees do in the Winter months ;https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-do-bees-do-in-winter Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1209770 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Applespider Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Tweet or drop an email to one of the London beekeeper clubs or associations and they will be able to give advice. That?s what a friend did when she had a swarm appear in the garden and they were really helpful. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1209771 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin68 Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Don't keep her trapped under a glass (she needs oxygen); don't put her outside, she will die in the cold; give her a small amount of heavily sugared water (or even honey) - in a teaspoon in front of her; leave her in the drawer in the dark (drawer probably very slightly open). With luck she will go back to sleep and wake up normally in the spring. Only bumble queens over-winter. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1209798 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blah Blah Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 There are also hives and beekeepers in the sensory garden in Peckham Rye Park. Might be worth getting in touch with them for advice. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1210087 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystic Mog Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/bee-faqs/finding-bees-in-bad-weather/Hope you find a solution. Long live the Queen! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1210103 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 I have the phone number of a local beekeeper if you still haven't made contact.ETA: PM me if you need it. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1210209 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderwoman Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 The queen would be best put where the temperature will be below 7c to stop her thinking that spring has come, so ending hibernation. She will only have a limited amount of reserves, so a 50% suger syrup solution would be useful if she is awake. She should be hibernating underground, protected from frost. A box in an outside shed would be great as long as there is an easy spring escape route.Honey bees will fly when the temperature is over 10c. My hives all have hibernating queen wasps, neatly folded up in their rooves. 2017 was not a good year for wasps so they made a good choice as they have underfloor central heating provided by the bees.I suspect your queen has buzzed her way to extinction, but great you have tried to help. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1210380 Share on other sites More sharing options...
amlh Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 can you give us an update on the queen's situation? Intrigued!! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1210425 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DulwichMayor Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 What's the update please? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1210669 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bumpkin Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 Hi, thanks so much for offers of advice, I contacted Marsden Road wildlife centre and bumblebee conservation society and they both advised feeding with sugar water and putting outside in a safe place which we duly did. Fingers crossed for lots of bumblebees in a few months time!! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1211237 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender27 Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 Every year there had been a visit by a hugh bumblebee fly in through my window, opening all the windows it finds it's way out. Why would a bumblebee do that every year. What are they attracted to ? Any knowledge would be helpful. Cheers. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1211241 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 Are you sure it's not a wasp (?queen?)looking for a place to start building a nest? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1211258 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystic Mog Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 Thanks for the update Bumpkin. ☺ Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1211276 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender27 Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 No Sue, It was definitely a bee the size of my palm. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1211280 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 You must have a very small palm!!! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1211284 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peachpie Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Thank you Sue. You made me laugh out loud this morning 😁. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1211351 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender27 Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Sue , no my palm is quite large 😁 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1211364 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 It must have bee (n) an extremely large bee then :)) Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1211392 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DulwichFox Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 To all the doubters..Ok. Its a Teddy . Mistaken Identity... Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/178971-advice-needed-found-hibernating-queen-bumble-bee-in-a-drawer/#findComment-1211413 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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