Bumble Bee Inn

Hi friends
I always love sharing adorable information or stories here. Maybe I haven't been sharing enough of the cute stuff lately!!

I am running something of a bug motel in my backyard--got tons of crawly guests every night.
I've noticed that bumble bees enjoy sleeping in zinnias! I even got some pictures which are so blurry they could almost be paranormal/uap/ufo pics
They occasionally take naps during the day but these two have settled down for the night:

This guy slept in this same flower and position last night, lol.



Fuzzy pics of fuzzy cuteness

Have a good night!!

I actually have “ The Bee Barn “ in my backyard. Looks like a birdhouse but there’s like 100 little bamboo shoots the bees go in. No bees in it yet but it’s been real dry here lately. Once there’s some mud the bees will go in it then pack the hole shut with mud.

www.farmandfleet.com...

a reply to: Enduro

That is so cool

If you remember this thread, maybe you can update us when the rooms fill up!

originally posted by: zosimov
a reply to: Enduro

That is so cool

If you remember this thread, maybe you can update us when the rooms fill up!

Will definitely update , I can see pollen in the tubes so I know they were in there. I check it every day , from what I read you can see the bees in the tube facing out.Just need some mud!

a reply to: zosimov

Maybe they get a good buzz in there ...

a reply to: zosimov

I have bees that sleep in my echinacea. I've not seen them sleeping in my less sturdy flowers.

I always wondered is they stay do long and get caught in the darkness? Or?

a reply to: Nothin



That honey mead does it every time.

originally posted by: DontTreadOnMe
a reply to: zosimov

I always wondered is they stay do long and get caught in the darkness? Or?

The topic prompted me to look up some bee info and I found this:

Male bees will also sleep outside, after they leave the nest (never to return). Sometimes, it’s the female who’s caught outside the nest because the temperature cooled so rapidly that she couldn’t fly back; she’ll wait until morning to bring her pollen back to the nest. Usually, you’ll find resting bumblebees under flowers or even inside them!

www.almanac.com...

Looks like they do sometimes just get caught out late and crash

a reply to: zosimov

I didn't realize male bees were basically kicked out of the house.

IIRC, it seems to happen more later in summer into cool weather, than earlier in the growing season.
Not a very scientific observation either.

I caught a bumble bee taking a nap on a flower one day and woke him up and told him he better get back to the nest before the queen got on his case. When they wake up from a dead sleep they don't fly very straight, and it had to land on another flower and was rubbing it's face and then it could fly better. It went straight to the nest...hope it didn't get in trouble for sleeping on the job.

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

I didn't know that either, and it's a little sad to hear.

I'll be planting zinnias every year from here on out

a reply to: rickymouse

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

Kicked out the house?

Or went to get some pollen 3 weeks ago? I bet he's down the Bumble Bee Inn the bloody waste of space!

Sorry

a reply to: RAY1990

LOL! Thanks Ray for the laugh.

Sounds like a reputable establishment if you ask me!

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

More likely had enough of serving the queen and decided to live the single life. Bitch can get her own pollen.

Leave out a bottle of beer on a warm day if you're in any doubt.

a reply to: RAY1990

Beet me to it.

a reply to: zosimov

That bumblebee looks like it's in 7th heaven! In my youth I used to pet bumblebees that were totally intoxicated by our lavender. I don't remember seeing them after sunset, but during the day they were glued to the flowers.

This reminded me of a video of a Scottish lady who adopted a wingless queen bee, or did the bee adopt the lady... mutual love affair, in any case.

a reply to: Encia22

That was adorable!!

a reply to: zosimov

Or try the Magnus Coneflower. 3 feet tall, perennial. I've grown it from seed.
Although plants are a better option if you want a faster clump of plant.
Bees and butterflies love it.
In the MIdwest area, I cut back all the flowers and stems mid-September or so so promote a strong plant to overwinter.

www.gardenia.net...

Nice thread Zosi', always love to see your green thumb at work


a reply to: DontTreadOnMe
I think I have seen these in her garden next to a tomato plant.