Elphinstone's Army Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 I have a large bumble bee in my bathroom clinging to the edge of the window ledge, and unable to upload a picture. He is handsome but doomed this cold weather surely. What can I do with him? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/186066-bumble-bee/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
BunnyBurrow Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 You're not the first... I found one a couple of months ago and then found this thread on the forum...http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,1897556,1899227#msg-1899227I think the overall message was to put it outside in a sheltered / safe area, after giving it some sugar water if you can.But please read the other responses and see what you think! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/186066-bumble-bee/#findComment-1230427 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigED Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 Give it a bit of sugar or honey diluted in water. The weather is improving over the week and the hive will be waking up for spring. Unless it isn't a hive kind of bee, in which case it will just go wherever it came from. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/186066-bumble-bee/#findComment-1230430 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 Oh dear, I had the same on Sunday.A large bumble bee suddenly started buzzing round my living room.We put him outside in a sheltered place where there wasn't any snow. He wasn't there later, so I hope he managed to survive.Don't know how he got into the house without our noticing, possibly when a friend went into the garden the previous day for a smoke.Hope he (probably a he?) and the other bees will be OK. At least the temperature is rising a bit now. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/186066-bumble-bee/#findComment-1230435 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elphinstone's Army Posted March 20, 2018 Author Share Posted March 20, 2018 bulletin - I remembered the sugar water advice, put some on a jar lid and some local honey, and with a tissue eased him onto the (large) lid, and watched him eat, he was weak, he suddenly buzzed, rose vertically, so I opened the window and out he flew - I do not have access to a garden, or I would have put him outside in a sheltered spot.I say 'he' Sue, as he was so large, just guessing really, I hope he will be fine, thank you for replies and concern.I was pleased to be able to view him at close quarters whilst he was greedily feeding, a privilege. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/186066-bumble-bee/#findComment-1230442 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin68 Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 The only bumble bee you will see at the moment is an overwintering queen - workers and drones die off in autumn. The average nest size is around 50-100 when fully operational (so much smaller than honeybee communities). Bumble bees can fly when temperatures reach around 7C (45F) - normal temperatures at this time of year, though not sadly now. Giving a sugar water solution and leaving them in a sheltered position may be the best option for survival - they may well have come in from outside to escape freezing conditions. Normally they over-winter somewhere sheltered, and can survive, but not fly in, quite cold conditions - i.e. below freezing. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/186066-bumble-bee/#findComment-1230445 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystic Mog Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/winter-active-bumblebees/This is very helpful. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/186066-bumble-bee/#findComment-1230501 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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