Bumblebee first aid

I was pottering around the garden on Saturday when a beautiful bumble bee flew by and settled on the edge of one of my veg beds. When it was still there a few minutes later I ran indoors for my bumble identification chart, my camera and a few drops of sugar water.

The bee turned out to be a queen Bombus Lucorum and her royal highness was clearly exhausted. There are not the flowers around at the moment to give them energy on their travels and sometimes they need a little help.

After placing a few drops of sugar water in front of her, the bee delicately started to drink. She remained there for a few more minutes to get her strength back and then went on her way.


I always carry a little bottle of sugared water around during the summer months for emergency bee first aid but from now on I'll be carrying it in spring too. These beautiful creatures need all the help they can get.

For more information on bumble bees and how to distinguish from the six native species visit

http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/index.htm