In recent years, there has been a lot of discussion and action focused on pollinator conservation, particularly for the Monarch Butterfly.  Butterflies are wonderful pollinators, but there are many more pollinators found in Nature.

One pollinator that is often forgotten by us is the bumblebee.  We can help these beautiful insects survive, but first we need to learn about who they are, what they do, and what they need.

There are many kinds of bumble bees in North America.  Many have suffered significant population decreases in recent years.  This is due to many reasons including disease, habitat loss, overgrazing, pesticide use, and climate change.

One of the bumblebees that has suffered the greatest decline is the American Bumble Bee (Bombus pensylvanicus).  Habitat protection, restoration, and creation is the best way to conserve bumble bees.  Bumblebees need flowers for pollen and nectar, places to nest, and sheltered locations to overwinter.

Bumblebees eat pollen and nectar.  A diversity of flower blooms early and late in the season are particularly important for their existence.  Bumblebees evolved with native plants.  These are the plants we should grow to encourage bumblebee's survival. 

Bumblebees nest underground, usually in holes made by small mammals.  Bumblebees nest in grass tussocks, hollow logs, dead trees, and under rocks.  They can also be found in compost piles or unoccupied bird houses.

Overwintering sites usually consist of small cavities just below or on the ground surface that use loose soil and leaf litter.  They have been found overwintering in woodpiles, rock walls, and sheds.

Protection of existing bumblebee habitat is important, including appropriate areas in your garden.  Appropriate mowing, prescribed burning, and grazing can keep grasslands open which can make bumblebee habitat.  Don’t mow, burn, or graze more than 1/3 of your site each year.  This allows a diversity of flowering plants to grow and provide food and homes for bumble bees.

Many pesticides kill bumblebees and contaminate their habitat.  Whenever possible, don’t use pesticides.  Never use systemic pesticides, like neonicotinoids, or broad-spectrum pesticides, like organophosphates and pyrethroids. 

You can contribute to bumblebee conservation by joining citizen science projects like “Bumble Bee Watch”.  This program gathers data on the status and nesting biology of bumble bees.  Go to BumbleBeeWatch.org to find out more information about this program.

Your interest in and protection of bumble bees will enhance their survival.  You also will ensure good pollination for native wildflowers.  This will provide beautiful landscapes for us to marvel and enjoy and you will feel good.  What a deal!!!

Information for this article came from the brochure entitled, “Bumble Bee Conservation:  A Guide to Protecting Our Vital Pollinators”, by the Xerces Society and U.S. Forest Service, undated, and “Conserving Bumble Bees:  Guidelines for Creating and managing Habitat for America’s Declining Pollinators”, Xerces Society, 2012.

Bumblebee photo by P Diane Chambers.