Simon 3d ago
The Bee Guy
It’s that time of year - folks asking us about #bumblebees - WHY THEY’RE SEEING THEM ON THE GROUND - so here’s a thread to explain.
Please #repost !
Every queen that survives means a new colony that gets to exist & produce queen #bees for next year!
So important to #share!
Thank you.🙏🏼🐝🌍
1/9
#nature #environment #biodiversity #science #education
#worldbeesanctuary
Mar 29 at 8:57pmWeb
Show threadThe Bee Guy3d ago
Spoiler Alert!
Quick version:
Queens just out of hibernation.
Hungry and house-hunting.
Rest often between flights.
Don’t move or help for an hour unless in immediate danger!
Flowers best option.
50/50 white sugar/water next best option - NOT HONEY!
Don’t bring her inside.
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#bees #bumblebees #insects
Show threadThe Bee Guy3d ago
Bumblebee queens emerge in early spring from hibernation and immediately need to feed - that’s why early flowering plants are so important.
Apart from feeding their mission at this time is to find a suitable site to establish a nest.
Hence you will observe queens flying low…
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#bees #bumblebees
Show threadThe Bee Guy3d ago
…to the ground zig-zagging across the landscape.
They’re house-hunting, stopping to explore in long grass and vegetation, hollows in trees, stone walls, under sheds and even compost heaps.
During this time #bumblebee queens spend a lot of their time resting between flights.
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Show threadThe Bee Guy3d ago
These ‘between flight stopovers’ can last for up to an hour and #bees are not always careful about where they take them.
Sometimes the middle of a footpath can be the ‘ideal’ spot!
So if you see a big #bumblebee chilling on the ground don’t always presume she needs rescuing!
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Show threadThe Bee Guy3d ago
As with sleeping dogs leave resting #bumblebees lie - for up to an hour before intervening. (Unless of course she is in imminent danger whereby she should be carefully moved to a safe place).
However if after about an hour she is still present then she may need assistance.
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Show threadThe Bee Guy3d ago
In this case preference is to move her to a nearby source of #nectar - a #flower!
If no flowers are nearby she can be offered a 50/50 mix of white sugar and water.
NEVER offer her honey as although it would seem to be the obvious action honey can contain pathogens that may…
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#bees
Show threadThe Bee Guy3d ago
..be harmful to #bumblebees.
Usually once she takes on some sugars and heats up she’ll happily fly off.
Don’t bring her indoors for long periods!
If she has already established a nest and laid eggs she needs to get back to sit on them to keep them warm - yes just like a hen!
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#bees #nature
Show threadThe Bee Guy3d ago
Thank you for reading/caring.
PLEASE #repost !
The more informed, the more queens survive and the more #bumblebees we have.
Simple.
Our native wild #bees are in serious trouble and we need to be there for them every way we can.
Thanks again for #helping!
For #caring.
For #sharing.
A little bit of good in a world that so needs it right now.
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Show threadThe Bee Guy3d ago
Almost forgot…
If you appreciate our content and what we do here at World Bee Sanctuary PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING US BY BECOMING A PATRON via our website - link is in my bio.
We do this full-time independent of government money and external influence.
Truth, unbiased science, honesty and decency matters to us.
🙏🏼🐝🌍
#bees #nature #biodiversity
#planet #science #education
#environment #insects #advocacy
#worldbeesanctuary
Show threadMissConstrue2d ago

@thebeeguy I have a tree of unknown variety, but it blooms teeny flowers very early in the season, and the flowers will survive a mild frost. It is so filled with pollinators, you can hear it from feet away. During monarch migration, thousands of butterflies come to our yard for this tree. It’s magical.

We liked it so much we chose it over our pool, and had the pool demolished to make more room for her. This year we’re putting in gardens where the pool was, since we already have pollinators on hand.

More bees means a happier planet.

Show threadClimate Jenny 2.12d ago
@MissConstrue @thebeeguy Now I really, really want to know what that is. Photo of the little flowers?
Show threadMissConstrue2d ago
@ClimateJenny @thebeeguy I’ll try to get a shot this evening
Show threadDoomsdaysCW3d ago
Thank you for all the great advice, @thebeeguy ! I'm sure our bumblebees will be out and about soon in Maine.
Show threadkat donegan 🇵🇸✊3d ago
@thebeeguy do you know if agave nectar mixed with water is safe for them? i don't keep/use white sugar (unless unrefined caster sugar is okay). thanks for any advice you can give.
Show thread🐛 Frühlings-Sam3d ago
@thebeeguy But isn't it safer to put them somewhere else If they are fine with climbing on my hand? I usually do that. Of course I check that I don't accidentally set them down right infront of a spider or something like that. But everywhere is more safe than on a biking trail.
Show thread🐛 Frühlings-Sam3d ago
@thebeeguy Ah nvm you said it right there, imminent danger and all.