Bumblebees
These fuzzy, industrious pollinators are native to the Willamette Valley and play a critical role in our ecosystems.
Social But Seasonal
Unlike honey bees with their year-round colonies, bumblebees are seasonal social insects. Each spring, a lone queen emerges from hibernation, finds a suitable nesting site (often an abandoned rodent burrow or old bird house), builds the beginnings of her nest,and begins raising the first batch of worker bees.
These workers then take over the daily tasks of foraging for nectar and pollen, building the nest, and caring for new larvae. By late summer, the colony produces new queens and males. After mating, the new queens seach for a well insulated site to hibernate through the winter. Early in the spring she will emerge and start the cycle again.
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About Bumblebees
Social But Seasonal
Unlike honey bees with their year-round colonies, bumblebees are seasonal social insects. Each spring, a lone queen emerges from hibernation, finds a suitable nesting site (often an abandoned rodent burrow), and begins raising the first batch of worker bees.
These workers then take over the daily tasks of foraging for nectar and pollen, building the nest, and caring for new larvae. By late summer, the colony produces new queens and males. After mating, only the new queens survive the winter, and the cycle begins again.
Gentle Giants
Bumblebees are generally docile and rarely sting unless their nest is directly threatened or they're handled roughly. They're excellent pollinators, capable of "buzz pollination" where they vibrate their flight muscles to shake pollen loose from flowers.
If you discover a bumblebee nest on your property, the best approach is often to leave it alone if possible. The colony is temporary and will die off naturally in the fall. If relocation is necessary due to safety concerns, contact us for humane options.
Found a Bumblebee Nest?
We can help you understand your options and provide humane solutions.
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