3 ways to help Save bumblebees from crisis!

Have you noticed a few less bumblebees buzzing about this year? There’s a reason for that. Bumblebees play a crucial role in pollinating many of the plants that sustain our ecosystems and food supply, but they are facing a serious crisis.

According to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, 2024 has been a particularly bad year for bumblebees due to a combination of poor weather conditions, climate change, pesticide use and habitat loss. Bumblebee queens, who emerge from hibernation in early spring to establish new colonies, have struggled to do so this year. Colder, wetter weather has made it harder for them to find suitable nesting sites, collect nectar and pollen, and incubate their offspring. With fewer queens making it through the year, bumblebee populations are dwindling, which has serious consequences for next year and beyond.

Here are three practical ways you can help save bumblebees from this crisis if you are a gardener or have access to an outdoor space of any kind - even a balcony or an outdoor windowsill with plants:

1. Provide food and shelter

Bumblebees rely on a steady supply of nectar and pollen to survive, especially when emerging from hibernation. Planting a range of bee-friendly flowers in your garden or local green space can help provide essential nourishment. Choose native plants that bloom at different times throughout the year to offer food during every season. Some great options include lavender, foxglove and wild marjoram.
 

Additionally, providing shelter for bumblebees is vital as natural nesting sites have become harder to find. Underground nests can easily become waterlogged in heavy rain, so artificial bee homes offer a safe alternative. Consider installing a solitary bee hotel like the RHS Buzzing Large Solitary Bee Hotel or the Giant bee and bug Biome from The Wildlife Community to give bees a dry and safe place to nest.
 

2. Avoid using harmful pesticides

Pesticides pose a huge threat to bumblebee survival. Insecticides can kill bees directly or impair their ability to forage and reproduce, while herbicides destroy the plants they rely on for food. Bumblebees are particularly vulnerable because they visit a wide range of flowers and may be exposed to multiple chemicals at once, which can have lethal effects.
 

The best way to protect bumblebees from pesticide exposure is to adopt organic gardening methods. Instead of using chemicals to control pests or weeds, opt for natural solutions like companion planting or biological pest control (introducing or encouraging predator species to your garden). You can also encourage biodiversity by planting wildflowers and avoiding monoculture planting, which limits the variety of available food sources for bees.
For an extra boost, consider keeping a bee revival kit like the Beevive Original Bee Revival Kit on hand. This handy tool contains an emergency solution that can help revive exhausted bumblebees by giving them an energy boost.
 

3. Support habitat restoration efforts

Bumblebees are also struggling because their habitats are declining in both quality and quantity. Over time, land development, intensive agriculture and climate change have led to a reduction in the flowering plants and nesting sites bumblebees depend on. Habitat restoration is essential for helping them bounce back from tough years like 2024.

One way to contribute is by supporting local conservation projects that aim to restore or protect bee habitats. These projects often involve planting wildflower meadows, creating green corridors, and improving urban green spaces for wildlife. You can also make a difference by ensuring your own garden or outdoor space is bee-friendly. Let patches of grass grow longer, allow wildflowers to thrive, and resist the urge to clear away every fallen leaf - bumblebees can use these as cover or shelter for their nests.

Why has 2024 been such a bad year for bumblebees

This year’s challenges have been compounded by cold, wet weather during the crucial early months of the queen bumblebees' life cycle. After emerging from hibernation in March and April, queens must find a nesting site, collect nectar and pollen, and incubate their offspring, all at the same time. Rainy, cold conditions have made it harder to forage for food and maintain their nests. Queen bumblebees shiver to keep their nests at a steady 25-32°C, but colder temperatures have made this difficult, resulting in fewer successful colonies and, ultimately, fewer bees.

This year’s poor weather comes on the back of four consecutive bad springs, part of a worrying trend driven by climate change. Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and flooding, are becoming more frequent and pushing bumblebee populations to the brink. With fewer queens surviving, there are fewer bees to reproduce, leading to a downward spiral in population numbers.

Long-term challenges for bumblebees

Beyond the weather, bumblebees are facing long-term threats from climate change, pesticides, and habitat decline. Pesticide exposure weakens bees’ ability to survive and reproduce, while habitat loss has reduced the availability of food and nesting sites. Without adequate habitat and protection from pesticides, bumblebee populations aren’t as resilient as they once were, making them more vulnerable to extreme weather events.

How you can help

By providing food and shelter, avoiding pesticides, and supporting habitat restoration efforts, you can play a role in helping bumblebees recover from their crisis. Consider purchasing this Ceramic Bumble Bee House from The Wildlife Community. Small, everyday actions add up, and together, we can help save these important pollinators from further decline. Let's ensure that future springs are filled with the buzz of healthy, thriving bumblebees.