Where are all the bumble bees?
By Tiamjr
@Tiamjr (435)
May 28, 2009 11:43am CST
How many bumble bees have you seen? I haven't seen any yet. Three species of bumble bees are now extinct in the UK and I was just wondering if people elsewhere are noticing a decline? I know a lot of people who are scared of bees, but they are really important polinators and are very important for our own survival. Would be interested to hear about what you have noticed about bees in your area.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
5 Jul 09
Yup. My front garden has so many wildflowers. The bumblebees and the butterflies had been constant visitors. Some busy tiny bees made a hive on my bamboo plant. I accidentally brushed their home while sweeping the dry leaves. One bit me on the cheek. Glad the sting wasn't so bad.
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@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
9 Jul 09
Oh gosh! Poor bee. What have you got that killed the bee? Ha ha. Just kidding. You are so funny. Keep tending mother nature. We have a great job to do.
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@emilie2300 (1882)
• United States
28 May 09
Maybe they have all came to Pittsburgh because hear I have see alot of them. They seem to be out early this year.
I dont like bubble bees because I was stung before and I dont like it. It is pain ful and hurts.
Its not a good thing when you are allergic to them either.
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@Tiamjr (435)
•
29 May 09
I got stung myself when I was little, but when my mum told me about the bee dying afterwards I felt really sad. I didn't get scared, I just became more careful about making sudden movements near bees. I suppose your allergy does give added reason to be more wary though.
@emilie2300 (1882)
• United States
31 May 09
Yeah I am very afraid of them. I try to stay as far away as possible and not to make sudden movements if I am near them.
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@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
12 Aug 09
we have plenty of the fat lil' guys near my house.
the UK is welcome to get some if they need to.
doesn't seem to be as many honeybees around as there once was though..
doesn't seem to be as many honeybees around as there once was though..
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
16 Jul 09
Hi tiamjr, the bees are alive and buzzing and producing honey round here. Not far from the house there is a little lane which leads to a collection of bee boxes. A lot of them were burnt out in the huge fires of two summers ago so there is a decline in numbers from that. There seems to be a growth in builder bees which are a completely different variety, a cross between a bee and a wasp, they don't seem to bother people but fixate on a wooden spot and build mud nests into them, I don't think that they actually do anything though like the bumble bees do. The local honey by the way is exceptionally good.
@Tiamjr (435)
•
16 Jul 09
Glad to hear your bees are alive and busy making lovely honey.
Honey has a lovely taste. I used to buy a deep fruity Mexican honey from the supermarket which tasted delicious. But I like to try and get locally produced honey now because it helps sustain my local hives. It is less sweet than the Mexican but has a lovely delicate flavour. I think it is amazing how honey from different places all have their own distinct flavours.
Yes, it is often common to see a rise in a competitive species when another species incurs a decline. Hopefully your honey bees will be able to build there numbers up again. Thanks for the response.
Honey has a lovely taste. I used to buy a deep fruity Mexican honey from the supermarket which tasted delicious. But I like to try and get locally produced honey now because it helps sustain my local hives. It is less sweet than the Mexican but has a lovely delicate flavour. I think it is amazing how honey from different places all have their own distinct flavours.
Yes, it is often common to see a rise in a competitive species when another species incurs a decline. Hopefully your honey bees will be able to build there numbers up again. Thanks for the response.
@adam1980 (516)
•
28 May 09
i live in the westmidlands england uk and have noticed quite a few in my garden the last couple of weeks, i love bees and even brought a bee friendly pack of seeds this year to grow flowers they like, aparently sunflowers are there favorites, i would hate to see them all die out and dont understand why people are so scared of them as they die if they sting you so wont do this unless you are threatening there life anyway
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@Tiamjr (435)
•
28 May 09
I agree, I love them. I was thinking of setting up a small bee hive or bee house because I am so worried about them becoming extinct. However, I'm not sure my garden is big enough. I will definately try planting some sunflower seeds in my garden. Thanks for that idea.
