Bees

Bees are the unsung heroes of our planet. Dive deep into the life, habits, and challenges these incredible pollinators face. From their intricate dances to their vital role in our food chain, there’s so much to uncover.

Rarest Bees in Britain

The Rarest Bees in Britain: A Closer Look at These Buzzing Treasures

When it comes to bees, Britain is a buzzing hotspot of diversity. However, not all bees are thriving; some are teetering on the brink of extinction. In this article, we’ll explore some of the rarest bees in Britain, their unique characteristics, and the challenges they face. Here’s a simple numbered list of some of the …

The Rarest Bees in Britain: A Closer Look at These Buzzing Treasures Read More »

white tailed bumblebee in watercolour

The White-Tailed Bumblebee: A Buzzing Symphony in Yellow and White

In the buzzing orchestra of bees, the Bombus Lucorum, or the White-Tailed Bumblebee, plays a significant role. This bee, with its vibrant bands and pure white tail, is a familiar sight in gardens and meadows across the United Kingdom. Let’s delve into the captivating world of the White-Tailed Bumblebee. Appearance: A Symphony of Colors The …

The White-Tailed Bumblebee: A Buzzing Symphony in Yellow and White Read More »

hundreds of bee flying and resting outside their hive

Can Bees Join Another Hive?

Yes, on rare occasions, honey bees can join another hive. This phenomenon is called ‘drifting’. Bees will land at the entrance to another hive and try to gain entry past the vigilant guard bees. But it’s not as simple as simply walking in. If they don’t behave precisely, they’ll be violently ejected or, worse, killed. …

Can Bees Join Another Hive? Read More »

Common Carder Bee

The Common Carder Bee: A Quick Guide

Bombus Pascuorum, also known as the Common Carder Bee, is one of the most frequently seen bumblebees in the UK. With its distinctive ginger hair, it is easily recognizable and can be found in a wide range of habitats, including gardens, meadows, pastures, waste ground, ditches, embankments, roads, and field margins, as well as forests …

The Common Carder Bee: A Quick Guide Read More »

The Red-Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus Lapidarius): A Comprehensive Guide

The buzzing world of bees is vast and varied, with over 20,000 known species. Among these, the Red-Tailed Bumblebee, scientifically known as Bombus Lapidarius, stands out with its distinctive appearance and behaviour. In this guide, we’ll delve deep into the life of this fascinating bee, helping you identify and appreciate its unique characteristics. 1. Appearance: What …

The Red-Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus Lapidarius): A Comprehensive Guide Read More »

Why Is Honey Bad For Bees? (The Surprising Truth)

Honey, the liquid gold bees tirelessly craft, is central to their survival. It’s their lifeline, their winter blanket, and their energy drink. But, intriguingly, this essence of their existence might be harming them simultaneously. *Important note – Feeding a wild bee honey you’ve purchased can introduce nasty diseases and parasites to an otherwise healthy colony …

Why Is Honey Bad For Bees? (The Surprising Truth) Read More »

bee collecting pollen and nectar from a plant

What Do Bees Eat? A Simple Guide

Want a quick breakdown of what bees eat on a day-to-day basis? Most bee’s diets consist of nectar and pollen. Nectar provides a valuable source of carbohydrates, while pollen gives bees all the protein they need to grow and thrive. That’s the simple answer, but there’s so much more to discover about how these interesting …

What Do Bees Eat? A Simple Guide Read More »

The Heath Bumblebee

This rather small species of bumblebee can be found in a wide range of habitats across the United Kingdom. Appearance The heath bumblebee is characterised by its distinctive yellow collar, yellow-banded abdomen and pure white tail. It has a small, short, rounded face that’s as long as it is wide. Apart from its smaller size …

The Heath Bumblebee Read More »

the garden bumble bee

The Garden Bumblebee

The Bombus hortorum, also known as the garden bumblebee, is a species of bumblebee that is native to Europe. These bees are important pollinators for a variety of plants, including fruits and vegetables, and are known for their distinctive yellow and black striped pattern. They’re considered as one of the ‘big 7’, one of seven …

The Garden Bumblebee Read More »

tree bumblebee collecting nectar and pollen

The Different Types Of Bumblebee

There are approximately 250 different species of bumblebees across the world with varying sizes, colours and patterns and they can be found in every country except Australia and Antarctica. With so many different species of bumblebee in the genus Bombus, it’s often hard to tell which species you’re observing. We’ve detailed some of the most …

The Different Types Of Bumblebee Read More »

the leafcutter bee

The Leafcutter Bee

The leafcutter or leafcutting bee is a fascinating species of bee belonging to the genus Megachile which also includes resin bees and mason bees. *This subset belongs to the much larger Megachilidae cosmopolitan family made up of solitary species. Leafcutter bees have gained their name due to their very unique behaviour of leaf cutting. This …

The Leafcutter Bee Read More »

beeswax being infused into skincare products to treat eczema

Beeswax & Eczema

If you have eczema, it can be difficult to find a moisturizer that works for you and doesn’t aggravate your condition. Enter beeswax, the perfect solution to help treat and prevent dry skin for people with eczema. Let’s take a closer look at the intrinsic link between beeswax and eczema and how you can use …

Beeswax & Eczema Read More »

a mining bee collecting resources from a flower

The Mining Bee

The term mining bee refers to a group of bee species belonging to the genus Andrena. In the UK, there are 67 species of mining bee, including the tawny mining bee, ashy mining bee and Clarke’s mining bee. What Do Mining Bees Look Like? Identifying mining bees away from their nests can be tricky. With …

The Mining Bee Read More »

honeybees collecting pollen from a sunflower

How Do Bees Help Humans?

Bees are a crucial part of our ecosystem. They pollinate our crops and wild plants, which helps keep the environment healthy and provides a wide range of habitats for other insects and nails. Bees also produce honey used by humans as a food source and for a range of medicinal purposes. Let’s take a deep …

How Do Bees Help Humans? Read More »

the early bumblebee collecting nectar and pollen

The Early Bumblebee

The early bumblebee sometimes referred to as the early-nesting bumblebee, Latin name Bombus pratorum is a widely spread species visible in many areas across the UK. This relatively small species of bumblebee gains its name for being one of the first bumblebees to appear in early spring, feasting on early blooming flower varieties. What do …

The Early Bumblebee Read More »

where do bees go in winter

Where Do Bees Go In The Winter?

Bees are one of the most important pollinators in the world, but they’re also often misunderstood. Bees live in colonies, and each colony has a different life cycle. Honeybees, bumblebees and solitary bees all have their own ingenious methods and techniques for surviving a chilly winter. So how do bees survive a long winter without …

Where Do Bees Go In The Winter? Read More »

tree bumblebee collecting nectar and pollen

The Tree Bumblebee

The Tree bumblebee, Latin name Bombus hypnorum of the genus Bombus is a species of bumblebee present across parts of Europe and Asia. Despite its fast spread across mainland Europe and the UK this species is still not currently found in the Mediterranean or large swathes of Eastern Europe. What do Tree bumblebees look like? …

The Tree Bumblebee Read More »

Please Sign the Petition

Are you a UK resident? We need your signature to Help Save Bees From Neonicotinoids in the UK

Close