Studies within the
Sheffield University BUGS project found that bumblebee species numbers were higher in gardens with a lower intensity of management including less use of chemicals
1,2. This was not the case for solitary bees.
Bumblebee nest boxes can be bought from garden centres but they have a notoriously poor success rate in attracting a queen bumblebee in the spring. Queens seem to prefer to find their own, more natural, nest sites. Worker bumblebees can sting but they are generally not aggressive and rarely use their stings unless they are handled clumsily or their nest is under attack. Tree bumblebees are more likely to chase people and sometimes sting them. This is mainly a problem where they are nesting in a bird box which has been placed where people will walk close by.
References
1. Smith, R.M., Warren, P.H., Thompson, K. & Gaston, K.J. 2006. Urban domestic gardens (VI): environmental correlates of invertebrate species richness. Biodiversity and Conservation 15, 2415-2438.
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2. Smith R.M., Gaston K.J., Warren P.H. & Thompson, K. 2006. Urban domestic gardens (VIII): environmental correlates of invertebrate abundance. Biodiversity and Conservation 15, 2515-2545.
pdf copy
Other sources of information
Websites
Books
Benton, T. (2006) Bumblebees. Collins New Naturalist series no. 98. Harper Collins
Edwards, M. & Jenner, J. (2009) Field Guide to the Bumblebees of Great Britain and Ireland. Ocelli Ltd
Goulson, D. (2010) Bumblebees, Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation. Oxford University Press
Kirk, W.D.J. and Howes, F.N. (2012) Plants for Bees. IBRA 2012. Chapter 3, Plants for bumblebees by Jane Stout
Prys-Jones, P. E. & Corbet, S. A (2011) Naturalists' Handbooks 6 Bumblebees. Pelagic Publishing
Falk, S. and Lewington, R. 2015 Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland. Field Studies Council AIDGAP key
By Andrew Halstead reviewed by Andrew Salisbury edited by Steve Head