Vanishing Bumbles

[rothmea]

Hi, Since from the beginning of June I have had 3 or 4 Bumblebee's going in and out of my loft from around the eaves. I had a Bumblebee nest in the same place several years ago but nothing until now. On the first of July (yesterday) I noticed that there's no activity at all. Surely they wouldn't of moved away in only about 3 to 4 weeks.

Any info would be good.

Dave

 

[thorn]

Come to think of it, I’ve not seen the usual number of tree bumbles this year.

 

[enrico]

I have two bird boxes full of them and loads in the garden. Plant phacelia, they love it
E

 

[mike99]

I have recently discovered a colony that has set up home in an old hole in the wall of my house from the bath outfall in my bathroom. They are constantly buzzing around it.
One thing I have noticed is that there are quite a few dead bumble bees on the ground near by. Do they have a short life span?

 

[Roola]

I have recently discovered a colony that has set up home in an old hole in the wall of my house from the bath outfall in my bathroom. They are constantly buzzing around it.
One thing I have noticed is that there are quite a few dead bumble bees on the ground near by. Do they have a short life span?

They may be dead drones having mated with emerging queens.

 

[Millet]

Come to think of it, I’ve not seen the usual number of tree bumbles this year.

I have noticed exactly the same with all species of bumble bees, i am seeing a very small percentage compared to years gone by.

 

[EdNewman]

My wife commented only yesterday on how few bumbles we have in the garden this year, but we have Mason Bees in abundance, which is nice.

 

[rothmea]

I have noticed exactly the same with all species of bumble bees, i am seeing a very small percentage compared to years gone by.

Would any Bumbles in my loft have died due to the extreme heat we're having at the moment especially in the loft.

 

[Popparand]

You can have as many as you want from our garden or roof!

 

[thorn]

My wife commented only yesterday on how few bumbles we have in the garden this year, but we have Mason Bees in abundance, which is nice.

It’s because of all that 300 years anniversary publicity.

 

[Beagle23]

No shortage of them here, I think i commented in another thread earlier this year, that I'd never seen so many

 

[madasafish]

Loads on our Phacelia

 

[JWF]

We have noticeably more bumbles of all sizes this year, from great big hairy things to tiny little ones.

 

[Millet]

Would any Bumbles in my loft have died due to the extreme heat we're having at the moment especially in the loft.

The heat will not kill them but if they get lost and can not find there way out that will kill them, obviously age dependent on the bees also.

 

[mickbees23]

I think Bumbles were short in number after the spring this year and could also have had a fast turnover of colonies due to the amazing weather since May speeding up development.

Its a very odd year this one. Rosebay Willow Herb is in full flower now, the Bramble has only just finished and Thistles are only just starting to flower so its all a bit mixed up. RWH is very early.

 

[rothmea]

Thanks for that Millet.