Bumblebee lodging in my shed!!

[KtShortcake]

Hi everyone!
I know there are already posts about this but I didn't want to hijack anyone elses!

I appear to have a Bumblebee preparing to nest in my brick-built shed. She is 1.5-2cm big, furry with a white tail. The shed was disused till about a month ago and when I was clearing it out I thought I saw her go into a pile of old wood and rolls of carpet off-cuts. I'm a bit squeemish so I left well alone hoping she was just investigating.

However, while tending to the garden yesterday I noticed she flew out of the shed door (it doesn't close properly) and when I was in there and about to leave we had a little confrontation on the door step! I suppose I should count myself lucky that she clearly has manners and is using the door! I wonder if she wipes her feet!!!

I'm all for encouraging bees in the garden, we've left a patch of nettles over the back and i've sown wildflowers, but a bee in my shed may be a step to far!!! I really don't want to upset her though, I've been looking into bumblebee houses, any tips for moving her on????

Cheers! Kt

[Moggett]

It is possible she already has started a family. If possible leave her alone - you are very lucky that she has decided to live in your garden. Could you leave the shed unused until late Autumn when the colony dies off naturally?

[KtShortcake]

Thanks, I was just reading your reply to the garage post! I am thinking that I'll move out of the shed!!! I can take the small tools in the house and I'll only be going in to turn the hosepipe on or get the lawnmower, both of which are on the other side of the shed! I am really excited at the prospect of have a bumblebee nest!!! I've just started my own veg patch so hopefully she'll help me with that!!! Thanks!

[Chris]

On the one hand you sound like someone who is keen on encouraging wildlife into your garden, yet once a bit of wildlife has actually arrived you seem keen on getting rid of it.

You have just a nesting queen at the moment. The nest will die off at the end of the summer. In between now and then you will get more bees, but never huge and scary numbers of them. Bumblie's aren't in the slightest bit aggressive. As long as you are careful exactly what you shift about in your shed - taking care not to disturb their nest - you could easily go about your business without impacting on theirs, and vice-versa. The sight of a person suddenly in their way might confuse them a little, but it's not as if your presence in or near your shed will anger them in any way.

Leave them be and at the end of the summer I bet you will wonder how anyone could ever be in fear of these small and gentle creatures. There ain't much of a deal at all.

But be sure not to accidentally block access to their nest. That will make them angry.

And note that bumblebees often nest in old mouse nests.

[KtShortcake]

Hi Chris, thanks for the tips, I think you may have misunderstood me though. It's not that I want to 'get rid' of her, I was just thinking that the shed that I'm using quite a lot may not be the best place for her. I am a little fearful, sorry, that should be was, as I didn't know very much about bees, but thanks to this lovely forum and a few other websites I've learnt a lot since last night!!!!

I've been actively bee spotting today in the garden and have certainly found a new interest!!!

[Geoff]

Chris is right about them nesting in old mouse nests, though they will also go for old rats nests as well! I have read that the queens seek out a suitable nest site by seeking out the smell of rodent urine.
I had to rescue a bumble bee nest the other day and to me it smelt a bit rodenty. I also know that the bumble nests people can buy have a very low occupancy rate.
I am wondering if this winter I can build few bumble bee nests -all they have to be is a smallish box with a hole and I will fill them with bedding material. I am wondering whether I should ask the local pet shop for used bedding from their mouse cages