Bumble Bees

Lilly · #1 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 01:38 PM

I have a nest of bumble bees in my garden. I would like to remove them as they are right next to my two young childrens climbing frame. I am allergic to bee stings, so there is a risk that my children may be too, as my sister and father are also allergic. I have heard that bumble bees are not aggressive but the last couple of days everytime I go into the garden with my dog several bees come out of the nest and continually fly at me. We only have a small garden so we cannot go into the garden without being near the nest. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Cazzie · #2 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 01:43 PM

Hi Lilly and welcome

Oh dear that's not good for you is it! Tbh I've got not idea how to advise you about the bumble bee nest, but I'm sure someone will be along soon to help you out

Lilly · #3 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 07:26 PM

Thanks, I hope so, its such a shame, my kids love playing in the garden after school and all weekend, they have been helping me re-seed the lawn and my step dad is building them a bird table because they love birds, but now they are staying inside because of the nest.

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 07:33 PM

Probrably not what you want to hear but bumble bees are harmless, just because they posses a sting does not mean that they go around stinging people at random. Is there anyway you could move the kids to play area? I only say this as bumbleebees are really struggling at the moment and it would be a shame to destroy the nest.

Lilly · #5 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 07:44 PM

Unfortunately not, my garden is really small, does anyone know how big the nest will get and how long it will be there for? They are very small bumble bees and at the momment there doesn't seem to be a lot of them.

Dogghound · #6 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 07:50 PM

They are definately bumblee bees arnt they? There are many species of bee that dont sting and live alone, they also dont swarm. Where is the nest? They have relatively small colonies compared to wasps and honey bees.

Lilly · #7 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 08:01 PM

I am pretty sure they are bumble bees. They are small, fuzzy, black, with a yellow stripe and a white tail. The nest is under a huge slab of concrete that is in my neighbours garden but spills under my fence panel. The entrance to the nest is a small hole under the concrete, I tred blocking the entrance hoping they would go elsewhere, but they made a new entrance and dig out the one I blocked so now they use two entrances. I am very uncomfortable with them being there, apart from my allergy and the proximity to my childrens climbing frame, I have a phobia of bees and wasps. I suppose it could be worse and be a wasps nest.

Kayleigh · #8 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 10:45 PM

If they are small bumble bees they will be male and male bumble bees do not sting so do not pose a threat they are lovely creatures educate your kids I used to catch them when I was a kid and never got got stung..
They don't want to sting you so just keep them at distance and don't corner them and you will be fine..

Welcome to WAB...

Lilly · #9 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 12:48 PM

Thanks, I feel a bit better. I could try sectioning off the entrance of the nest so the kids don't get too close, but can watch the bees come and go, and see how it goes.

Kayleigh · #10 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilly

Thanks, I feel a bit better. I could try sectioning off the entrance of the nest so the kids don't get too close, but can watch the bees come and go, and see how it goes.

Just to let you know I sit right next to my lavender that is teaming with bumble bees in summer and find the humming quite calming I have never been stung even if they land on me as they frequently bump into me while sitting there..
I even put one on my thumb last year to get a closer look....
IMHO they will only sting if they feel threatened..