That encounter with the Bumblebee made me go find out some things. I knew they made honey and I knew that here, they nest in the ground. But, I did not know that their honey is not usually found and collected, even though it's said to be the most delicious, because their nests are small and temporary. They make only enough honey to sustain their Queens until Spring. All the worker bees die off in Winter. They have a short life span, which makes me feel worse for killing one. I was shocked at the variety of nests they can make and at examples of nests people have made for them. I'd actually like to try that so I could watch them, but, I'll bet it would be taken over by wasps here.
HERE is a bunch of images of diff nests. I don't believe for a minute those paper nests are Bumbles. Uhh uhh, those are paper wasps. They'd get torched here.
5 comments:
Also, did you know that honey is basically bee vomit? I got over that a long time ago. It's just too good. :)
My parent's neighbors have their own bee colony. I'll take pictures next time I go home. She can tell which ones are hers when we were down by the pond for a BBQ.
Hey, you saved that bee from having to live through the election cycle and all the darn speeches and ads on TV.
Beth
wow, that's really interesting....i didn't know that....i bet a nest would get taken over by wasps though, they're pretty invasive and take over things....
I'd love to see those pics, Beth. I have looked into getting bee hives, but, I'm put off by the beginning. Not sure I'm suited to that. I love the idea though.
Tia, they do, don't they? I had to plug the holes in my metal clothes line posts. It's sickening.
I just read that Bumbles love nesting in an abandoned mouse nest because the bedding is already there. Makes sense. I'll bet they're out by my shed.
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