Bumble bees

I have got a bumble bee's nest in my garden, they
have tunnelled in under the waterfall over my pond.

They have been there for quite a long time now and
it is interesting watching them work.

I was wandering how long they are likely to stay there
or will they dig in and hibernate there over the winter.?
( I do hope so ) or if not, are they likely to return to
the same spot next year?

Does anyone know anything about these fascinating creatures.

Rabbit...

My only suggestion is to look up your local phone book or web-search for
beekeepers in your area. I'm sure they would be willing to help and advise.

Judy...

web-search has always been a good friend to me. :c)

Judy in Canada

wally...

Thank you Judy, that is an interesting site, saved to my favourites.

MCC...

I've been waiting for Ned to reply, but as he hasn't shown up yet you may
find this from my British Wildlife book interesting:-

Buff-tailed Bumblebee.
One of our commonest bumblebees, which builds its nest underground,
sometimes using an old burrow, possible a metre or so long, made by a mouse
or vole. The female bee collects for her grubs honey which she stores in a
special honeypot, constructed of the same wax, secreted by her body, as the
cells.

We get red tailed bumblebees down here that like to nest in Cornish hedges
where there are lots of holes for them.

wally...

I didn't know there was different kinds of bumble bee, I'll
have to have a closer look at mine and try to identify them.

pmj...

Yep.
There's normal Bumble Bees, which fly around & go Buzzz, Buzzz...

& then there's the ones which fly backwards - Zzzub, Zzzub!
:-)

$irVivor & =?iso-8859-1?Q?=A7ire=DFird?=...

That's a new Keyboard you owe me :))

wally...

Oooops, can't spell that, try vanished. :o)

Thanks for the reply.