help with bumble bee rescue

loomer · #1 (**permalink**) 17-01-2009, 09:27 AM

Can anyone advise me on the best thing to do with a large, sluggish bumble bee which I found crawling across my sitting room floor this morning? Seems a bit chilly to stick him outside, but I've no clue what else to do.

Thanks in anticipation for your help!

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 17-01-2009, 09:41 AM

Hi Loomer,

I can't think what the bee would be doing inside, other than maybe hibernating?? I'm not sure really on what to suggest, you could place him in a deep bush and the cold will make him/her re-hibernate.Maybe a sugar/water solution would help top him/her up.

Others will help soon.

Welcome to WAB, by the way!

Dogghound · #3 (**permalink**) 17-01-2009, 09:44 AM

It will be a hibernating Queen, the best thing to do its to place it in a sheltered frost free location, preferably outside. They will soon becoming acive in a couple of months.

smartie · #4 (**permalink**) 17-01-2009, 10:05 AM

I second Dogghoud's advice. If she hasn't gone yet you might offer her a drink of diluted honey or a mixture of sugar and water to give her a little energy boost first.

loomer · #5 (**permalink**) 17-01-2009, 10:42 AM

Ah that's great help - thanks all. I have her in a small plastic tub at the moment in my kitchen - I will try to offer some honey/sugar with water. How should I give it to her? Just a few drops in a small puddle in front of her?

[I've done an image search via google and she looks like a classic bombus terrestris, if that offers any clarification.]

loomer · #6 (**permalink**) 17-01-2009, 11:32 AM

Well just to update, I put a small puddle of diluted honey near to her and she noticed straight away. Shuffled over and drank the lot and had 'seconds'. She perked up immediately and busily clean herself (or at least that's what it looked like to me!) for five minutes.

I was about to put her in a sheltered spot in the garden, when she flew up and out the backdoor! I'm going to have a smug cup of tea now, my good deed done for the day

pammosley · #7 (**permalink**) 17-01-2009, 11:52 AM

Well done Loomer

smartie · #8 (**permalink**) 17-01-2009, 12:33 PM

Good work. With luck she'll find herself somewhere safe to hibernate for a while longer. We should all be good to bees - we need them and they are in sorry decline.