Bumblebees: Brilliant Pollinators, Not Pests

At Malpass Pest Solutions, we are here when unwanted visitors become a genuine problem. But sometimes, the right advice is not to remove anything at all.

If you have spotted a few fluffy bees flying in and out of a bird box, compost heap, shed, roof space or hole in the ground, it is understandable that you might feel concerned. You may be wondering whether they will sting, damage your property or suddenly turn into a bigger problem.

The good news is that bumblebees are not really pests at all. In most situations, the best thing you can do is leave them exactly where they are and let them get on with their important work.

Bumblebees are good news for your garden

Bumblebees are vital pollinators. As they move between flowers collecting nectar and pollen, they help plants produce fruit and seeds.

That means they play an important role in pollinating many of the flowers, fruit and vegetables we enjoy, including tomatoes, apples, strawberries and beans. A garden visited by bumblebees is not a garden with a pest problem; it is a garden helping local wildlife to thrive.

Unlike wasps, bumblebees are generally calm and uninterested in people. They are far more focused on finding flowers and caring for their nest than bothering anybody having a cup of tea on the patio.

How long does a bumblebee nest last?

One of the main reasons people worry about bumblebees is because they suddenly notice a lot of activity around a nesting area.

However, by the time a nest is busy enough to catch your attention, it may already be well through its natural lifecycle.

A bumblebee nest usually lasts for just two to six months. It begins in spring when a queen emerges from hibernation and searches for a safe, sheltered place to start a new colony. She may choose an old rodent hole, long grass, a compost heap, a bird box or a quiet space in a roof or wall cavity.

These worker bumblebees then take over much of the foraging and nest care.

Worker bumblebees have surprisingly short lives, usually around four to six weeks. Male bumblebees live for only a few weeks, while the original queen usually reaches the end of her life once the nest has completed its cycle. Only new queens survive over winter, hibernating before starting fresh nests the following spring.

So, if you discover a bumblebee nest during the summer, your temporary neighbours will not be there forever.

Will bumblebees damage my property?

No. Bumblebees do not chew through woodwork, damage insulation or create structural problems in your home.

Their nest is small and temporary. Once the colony has naturally finished, the nest will dry out and gradually break down. Bumblebees also do not reuse the same nest in the following year, although another queen may occasionally decide that the same location looks cosy enough to try again.

In other words, a bumblebee nest in a roof space, bird box or beneath a shed is not the same sort of issue as a pest infestation that causes ongoing damage.

Are bumblebees likely to sting?

Bumblebees are not aggressive. Female bumblebees can sting, but they will usually only do so if they feel threatened or if their nest is disturbed.

Male bumblebees cannot sting at all.

The simplest approach is to give the nest entrance a little space. Avoid poking around it, blocking it up or using machinery such as lawnmowers or strimmers immediately beside it. It is also sensible to keep curious pets and small children away from the entrance.

In most cases, a small temporary barrier or simply moving garden seating or toys a short distance away is all that is needed.

Why you probably do not need to call Pat

Pat is always happy to help with genuine pest problems. Rats in the loft? Wasps by the back door? Mice helping themselves in the kitchen? That is absolutely the time to get in touch.

But bumblebees are different.

Responsible pest control is not about treating every creature that turns up near a home or business. It is about knowing when action is necessary and when nature is best left alone.

A bumblebee nest is usually temporary, harmless to your property and incredibly valuable to the local environment. Removing or treating it unnecessarily can destroy an entire colony of important pollinators, just as it is trying to produce the next generation of queens.

So, rather than calling Pat to deal with a bumblebee nest, the kindest and most sensible option is usually to leave it in place, admire your busy little visitors from a safe distance and let them complete their short summer season.

When should you ask for advice?

There may be occasional situations where bees are nesting in a particularly difficult location, where someone nearby has a serious allergy, or where you are unsure whether you are looking at bumblebees, honeybees or wasps.

In those cases, professional advice can help you understand what you are dealing with and what the safest next step may be.

But for most bumblebee nests, there is no emergency and no treatment needed.

They are not invaders. They are not out to cause trouble. They are simply small, furry pollinators getting on with a very important job.

And frankly, your flowers will be delighted to have them.