Unlike honey bees, for example, all members of the bumblebee colony die in the fall and only the mated young queen survives the winter. In early spring it leaves its winter quarters and looks for a nesting site. If you would like to support the big buggers in founding a new colony, you can offer the animals a home in your garden.

Bumblebees like to nest in the ground

The bumblebee friendly garden

Design green areas in a variety of ways, make sure that the bumblebees also find suitable places for their nests. A few areas left to themselves, insect-friendly plants and a lawn where flowers are allowed to bloom offer food and a home for many animals.

Provide nesting boxes and nesting sites

Many bumblebee species build their nests in burrows, such as abandoned mouse holes. Cracks in the stone or the crevices under the woodpile are also populated with pleasure.

You can also set up a nesting box (€49.85) for bumblebees, which you can buy ready-made or make yourself. The bumblebee home should have the following properties:

  • You have the choice between above and below ground bumblebee houses.
  • Buried houses must be constructed in such a way that water cannot enter.
  • In above-ground dwellings, it must not get too warm.
  • The home offered must have a bumblebee flap and protected ventilation holes. This prevents wax moths from nesting, which would destroy the entire nest.
  • Underground bumblebee houses must have a sufficiently long tube as an entrance.

Set up the bumblebee house in the right place

As for where the new state settles, bumblebees are a bit picky. It is important to have a good supply of food close to the bumblebee nest. Plants that are friendly to bees and therefore also bumblebees should be found in abundance.

  • For an underground nest, choose a quiet spot in a corner of the garden. Even in heavy rain, no waterlogging should collect here.
  • Bury the dwelling and place the pipes in such a way that the queen bumblebee can crawl in easily.
  • Drape moss and rocks around the entrance so the animals can identify the hole.

tips

If you find an exhausted queen bumblebee in spring, you can actively help the little animal, which is under nature protection. Carefully pick up the fluffy creature with a piece of paper. To strengthen him, offer him some lukewarm water in which you have dissolved half a teaspoon of sugar.

Category:

Animals in the garden