Page 16 - Oundle Life Issue 7 May 2021

PLEASE BEE KIND
Stranded or resting?
Keeping an eye out for bumblebees in need during bumblebee season.
The bumblebee season is between March and October, and during this time you may spot them on the ground as though they are stranded or hurt. You might be tempted to feed them some sugar-water to help; however, sometimes they are actually only resting, and sugar-water should only be used as a last resort to give a struggling bee a temporary energy boost.
Providing sheltered areas for resting bees
Resting bees are a natural behaviour, particularly with early spring bumblebee queens. Not only can you plant bee-friendly herbs and flowers to attract bees but you can help a bee, that is looking for a place to rest, by leaving patches of long grass and leaf litter in undisturbed areas.
Judging whether a bumblebee needs your assistance
Is there a chance of it being stepped on or run over if it remains where it is?
• If yes, move the bumblebee to a sheltered
place if it is safe to do so.
• If not, ask yourself...
Has the bee remained in the same place for over 45 minutes?
• No: check back in 30-45 minutes.
• Yes: ask yourself...
Are there some bee-friendly flowers nearby?
• If there are, carefully move the bee onto a
flower. The pollen and nectar might just give
the bee the essential nutrients it needs!
• If there aren’t, mix together a sugar-water
solution at a 50/50 ratio and offer some drops on a teaspoon or in an upturned bottle cap in a sheltered place.
DON’TS when assisting bees
• DO NOT use bumblebee honey or brown sugar. Honey can contain harmful pathogens, and brown sugars are harder to digest. White sugar must be used to make the sugar-water.
• DO NOT take the bee inside to shelter it.
CROWSONS FUNERAL DIRECTORS
BARNWELL, OUNDLE & THRAPSTON
Independent family run funeral home for over 120 years
Funeral Home, 48 Barnwell, Nr Oundle, PE8 5PS 01832 272269
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Sourced from guidance on the Bumblebee Conservation Trust website.
For more information about the Trust visit: www.bumblebeeconservation.org