Bumble Bees

Biology

Unfortunately for the first time in United States history, the bumblebee has been declared endangered.

Bumble bees have an annual life cycle. The bumblebee has a round body that is covered in a long, soft hair called pile. This makes them look fuzzy and soft. The bumblebee also has a long tongue with a suction cup like feature at the tip. This is for reaching the nectar within flowers. It is also a mystery if the bumblebee can even hear due to the fact that they have no ears.

Within the colony the adults are made up of by workers that are sterile females, queens and males (also called drones) which come from unfertilized eggs and usually appear in late summer. Only inseminated queens overwinter underground until spring. Inside the nest the queen makes a pollen clump on the nest floor and lays 8-10 eggs on it. The queen will constantly add pollen and nectar to the clump, and eventually more eggs. Developmental time is 16-25 days. Workers live about 2 weeks. The queen will increase the number of eggs laid as the number of workers to care for them increases.

During the summer, a mature bumble bee nest contains about 50-400 bees at any given time; the largest known nest contained 756 bees. In the late summer only males and new queens are reared in the nest. Once these new queens emerge, they mate and find a preferred environment to overwinter. The males, workers, old queen, and new queens die with the onset of colder temperatures.

Feeding Preferences

Nectar gathered from flowers is turned into honey and consumed.

Transmitted Diseases

Bumble Bees do not transfer diseases. However, their stings do contain a venom that may cause an adverse reaction in some people who who are allergic to the venom.

Habits

Bumble bees who are looking for nectar fly at 7-12 mph and spend only 2-4 minutes inside the nest between trips. Normally they will travel 3 miles if necessary for nectar. They use their ability to regulate their body temperature to warm up flight muscles before the sun rises and may forage when temperatures are below 50 deg. F. deg. Each worker forages independently, and bumble bees never exchange food. Old cocoons are used to store both pollen and nectar. Only enough food for a few days is stored at any given time this helps stop other predators like skunks and foxes from destroying the nest.

Defense is usually done by using their relative smooth stingers which can be used over and over. Some species will also spray feces, and some cover the intruder with regurgitated honey. People who are allergic to stings should always be aware when they are near a nest. That is why Expert Pest is here to help.

Expert Pest Program

Expert Pest Management will perform a thorough treatment of your structure by our trained professional. We will locate all problem areas and properly identify
the pest you are having. All programs are specially designed to target the pest that is infesting your structure.