What's the Buzz About Bumblebees?

There are nearly 50 species of Bumble Bees in North America, many of which are suffering population declines, but there are actions you can take to help!

Provide Forage:

Bumble Bees need a diversity of flowers throughout their life cycle. Native plants are an excellent choice since they coevolved with Bumble Bees. Bumble Bees also show a strong preference for perennials since they tend to have higher quantities of nectar. See page 23 of Conserving Bumble Bees for a list of plants by region that attract Bumble Bees and provide blooms throughout the entire flight season. 

Protect Nesting and Overwintering Sites:

Most Bumble Bees nest underground, usually in abandoned rodent burrows, and occasionally above ground. Queens typically overwinter in small cavities just below or on the ground, using loose soil and leaf litter, but can also be found in woodpiles, rock walls, and sheds.

If possible, keep some areas of land free from tilling, mowing, grazing, planting, and raking, all of which can destroy both nesting and overwintering sites. These areas could be fence margins, hedgerows, empty fields, ditches, etc. Leave leaf litter, snags, downed wood, and uncut Bunch Grasses for nesting and overwintering. 

Reduce Competition:

Research has shown that competition with Honey Bees reduces Bumble Bee foraging, efficiency, worker size and reproductive success. You can help reduce competition by placing Honey Bee hives at least .6 miles from potential Bumble Bee nesting sites. (Read more on page 10 of Conserving Bumble Bees.)

Minimize Pesticide Use:

If pesticides must be used, choose the least toxic ingredients, avoid the use of systemic pesticides such as neonicotinoids, and apply as directly as possible when Bumble Bees are not active (at dusk or at night, or in the late fall or winter).

More resources…

Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Bumble Bee Conservation Webpage (lifecycle, conservation efforts, species, and more)
Pollinator Conservation Resources: Pacific Northwest Region
Pacific Northwest Bumble Bee Atlas
 
Bumble Bee Conservation Trust
Bumble Bee Nests

PBS Deep Look
Video: This Vibrating Bumblebee Unlocks a Flower's Hidden Treasure