bumble bees

[hedgerow pete]

i have seen and heard several things about bumble bees and i could do with a full and proper answer to it.

ARE BUMBLE BEE PROTECTED ?

i belive not and have no proof to say either way does anyone else?

 

[viridens]

Not clear. One source saying they are protected seem to be The Kent Bee-Keepers Association.

There are several references on their site like the one here:

http://www.kentbee.com/kbka/info/swarms/faq-bees.shtml

Which says:

"Bumble bees are endangered, it is illegal to kill the bees, anyone found to have poisoned them risks prosecution, the maximum fine in the Magistrates Court is £25k, unlimited in Crown Court, average fine imposed at present is £1,5k. You can purchase a proper bumble bee home for £25. Bee keepers will charge to remove these nests when absolutely necessary, average cost £45."

Maybe email them for their source?

 

[Worldsend]

I always remove them for free and rehome them in the woods

 

[Erichalfbee]

The following are protected on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

Shrill Carder Bee
Great Yellow Bumblebee
Brown-banded Carder-bee
Moss Carder-bee
Red-shanked Carder-bee
Large Garden Bumblebee
Short-haired Bumble-bee

 

[Poly Hive]

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/insects-and-invertebrates/13317-help-bumble-bees.html

The answer it appears from my reading of this though I didn't drill down inot the links is no they are not protected.
Also this: http://www.walkingthetmb.com/beeswarm/arebeesaprotectedspecies.html

PH

 

[Browntea]

Are honey bees not protected?

 

[Poly Hive]

No

See above

PH

 

[TOBY-3652]

Im not saying this againe all the courses ive been on no bees are protected they maybe are on the biodiversity action plan.. Whatever that is but no bees are protected in this country..,. A weeks pest control course and £1000 pound later the law at this moment is no bees are protected not any/ none/ zilch /

 

[Hivemaker.]

How could they be protected,and from what.

 

[hedgerow pete]

just checking, dealing with the public i expect them to not know, but there seems to be some indifference betwen us beeks and thats confusing me?

 

[TOBY-3652]

I get it all the time.. There protected arnt they.. Err no i try to remove iff i can but at the end of the day if some ones got a phobia about bees its no good telling them they wont hurt you. They want the threat taking away and yes bees do good but they also sting