How to identify and control bumblebees

A bumblebee on a purple flower.
Bumblebees are relatively stout insects and are between 12-30mm in length. They're normally covered in dense hairs mixed with black, often in clear stripes.

In the UK, there are over 250 different types of bees:

  • 25 are bumblebees.
  • 1 is the honey bee.
  • The rest are solitary bees.

Bumblebees are the second most important pollinators behind honey bees.

What do bumblebees look like?

Bumblebees are relatively stout insects and are between 12-30mm in length.

They're normally covered in dense hairs mixed with black, often in clear stripes.

They have 2 pairs of wings which often appear very small compared to the rest of their body.

Are bumblebees dangerous to my health?

Bumblebees are large, imposing insects that can cause alarm when encountered.

However, they are docile and relatively harmless. They have a sting, but only use it when they're greatly provoked.

What to do if you discover an active bee nest

If you find a bumblebee nest, consider yourself very lucky. Not everyone has a chance to see a living, working bumblebee colony.

Bumblebees are not aggressive and will quietly go about their lives looking for flowers to forage on. This helps pollinate our crops and wildflowers.

Bumblebee colonies don't last long and all the bees die off naturally within a couple of months.

Occasionally, some bumblebees have a second nest in the year, but they're all empty by late autumn.