Bees

When you think of bees, the image that often comes to mind is the classic black and yellow striped honeybee. But the world of bees is vast and diverse, and among its many wonders is the Amegilla cingulata, more commonly known as the Blue-Banded Bee. This striking bee is not just a pretty face; it

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 world of bees is vast and diverse, with thousands of species buzzing around our planet. One such fascinating species is the Bombus Rupestris, commonly known as the Red-Tailed Cuckoo Bee. This guide will delve deep into the life of this bee, helping you identify and understand its unique characteristics. 1. Introduction The Red-Tailed Cuckoo

Yes, bees have an exceptional sense of smell. They use their antennae’s many smell receptors to locate flowers, communicate through pheromones, and distinguish between hive members. Bees can detect smells from far and wide, and it’s a critical part of how they survive and thrive in the world. Let’s dive deeply into the undergrowth to

Ever wondered about that bumblebee with the striking red tail? Meet Bombus Lapidarius, commonly known as the Red-Tailed Bumblebee. The buzzing world of bumbles is vast and varied, with over 20,000 known species but the Bombus Lapidarius stands out with its distinctive appearance and behaviour. This buzzing beauty is more than just a pretty face; it

Bees are well known for their painful stings, but did you know bees can bite as well? Yes, bees are equipped with a powerful bite that, while rarely used, is still an effective deterrent to potential predators. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of bees to learn more about bee bites and why they happen.

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

Yes, wasps are attracted to bees and their nests because they see them as a food source. From sweet honey to bee larvae, it’s a calorie-rich reward for any wasps that can successfully invade a hive. But that’s not the whole story. For the most part, bees and wasps get along in relative peace in

Generally, bees will attack and kill other insects but won’t eat them. Nearly all bees consume a diet of nectar and pollen that they gather from local flowers. But a few bee species have opted for a more carnivorous path, and others have learned to harvest insects with ingenious methods. Let’s jump into the question:

Bees spend their days buzzing from flower to flower, searching for precious resources. But how do they collect and carry all the nectar they need? Click here if you’d prefer to watch the video At Revive a Bee, we’re passionate about making the fascinating world of bees accessible for everyone with simple guides on the

Yes, bees can and will sting other bees; whether defence or attack, they’re not afraid to turn their barbed stingers on their own species. But what leads a bee to sting another bee, and what happens to the bee afterwards? Let’s look closer at the deadly side of an intra-species conflict and get the full

Are you looking for some great bee gifts for men? Look no further; at Revive a Bee, we’ve carefully scoured the internet to bring you all the best bee-themed gifts for him. Let’s dive straight in with our favourite accessory for any bee lover out and about on their adventures. Bee Revival Kit Is your

Believe it or not, up to 70% of bee species live underground! While most of us think of nests hanging in trees, thousands of species of bees live a completely different life. Let’s meet some species of bees that make subterranean burrows their home and learn more about their fascinating lives.  Miner Bees  As its

Bees use a combination of techniques to defend themselves from predators, including: Now let’s take a closer look at how each is deployed to fend off larger insects and predators. Stinging Defense Bees are armed with a formidable weapon, their stinging mechanism. A modified ovipositor female bees use for egg-laying is located at the posterior

Yes, bees poop, poo, and defecate, just like us humans; it’s an essential bodily function for removing waste from the body. Now we know the simple answer, let’s dive into the fascinating world of bees and their ingenious waste management methods. How Do Bees Poo? Like us, defecating is essential to bee life, but it

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

Are you seeking simple and effective ways to keep bees at a respectful distance without causing them any harm? Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, you’ll find actionable steps to help you enjoy the outdoors and coexist with our buzzing friends. Let’s dive straight into our list of tips to keep

No, only female bees can sting, and even among female bees, only bees from the honey bee, bumble bee and solitary bee families sting when threatened. Which bees sting? – Honeybee, Bumblebee, Africanized Honeybee, Carpenter Bee, Sweat Bee, Mason Bee Which bees don’t sting? – Male bees of any species (Drones), Stingless bees (e.g., Meliponini

A dying bee may have tattered wings and can be seen writhing on the ground. A tired bee, on the other hand, may appear slower and more lethargic but will still have intact wings and respond to external stimuli. *Important tip – If you’re not sure if your bee is sleeping or dead the best

There are a tonne of books about bees available if you’re interested in learning more and reading about them. These books cover everything from their biology and behaviours to the dangers they face and how we can protect them. Understanding bee behaviours and the difficulties they experience is fundamental to our survival because bees are

As a website focused on providing valuable information about the natural world, we often receive questions about the relationship between bees and flowers and one that always comes up is ‘do bees kill flowers when they collect nectar and pollen?’. No, bees do not kill flowers. In fact, bees are really important pollinators for flowers,

Bees face several natural predators in their nests and on their foraging trips. From birds and mammals to insects and arachnids, there’s no end to the potential dangers and predators bees encounter. As gardeners and nature enthusiasts, it’s fascinating to understand the complex relationships between bees and predators and to work to promote healthy ecosystems

Bees are essential pollinators that play a crucial role in maintaining our ecosystem’s balance, but they aren’t free from danger. Unfortunately, these fuzzy flyers are also a favourite food of many predatory insects. From wasps and hornets to praying mantises and spiders, these creatures may not be bees’ best friends, but they’re fascinating in their

Did you know a single bee can visit up to 5,000 flowers in one day? Spring is not just a time of renewal for us; it’s a lifeline for these buzzing workers. As they emerge from hibernation and search for food, they must find the best flowers to get the energy they need to build

Do you want to make sure your garden is thriving? Are you looking for natural, sustainable ways to help it flourish? Then it’s time to look into the amazing benefits of bee pollination. From creating stronger and healthy plants to providing essential nutrients in the soil. Not only that, but you’ll be playing an important

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 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 leafcutter 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 unique behaviour of leaf cutting. This involves removing circular

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, how you can use beeswax

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

Looking for the best seed bombs to turn your garden or wild place into a thriving wildflower area? Seed bombs are clay balls packed with seeds and compost. You can throw them on your lawn or garden to start growing a beautiful range of native plants. It’s an easy and fun way to start gardening

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

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

We love all insects here at Revive a Bee, so we wanted to list some of the best bug hotels to bring your garden to life and help a wide variety of bugs and insects find their new homes. A bug hotel is a predominantly wooden structure that acts as a residence for various insects,

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

We all see bees out in the garden or going for a walk. These furry little creatures buzz around so fast it’s hard to see what they’re doing, but thanks to science we now have a much better understanding of bee behaviour. Bees are flying insects and are close cousins to wasps and ants. Bees

Have you ever observed honeybees wiggling their bums in the form of a strange dance-like motion and wondered what they’re doing and why? Well look no further, we’ve gone ahead and found out exactly why bees wiggle their bums and the myriad of reasons they might do it. Let’s take a closer look at our

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 White-tailed bumblebee, Latin name Bombus lucorum is a species of bumblebee common across the United Kingdom and Europe. The term White-tailed bumblebee is a cover-all for three species of bumblebee with nearly indistinguishable characteristics. These three taxa are: B. lucorum – White-tailed bumblebee Bombus magnus – Northern white-tailed bumblebee Bombus cryptarum – Cryptic bumblebee

Yes, if bees are unable to leave the hive to collect water they are at risk of overheating. Signs of overheating include bearding (huddling in large numbers outside the hive), increase activity to collect and deposit water in the hive or in extreme cases melting honey and wax. Keeping bees in warmer climates comes with

Bees spend their days busily buzzing from flower to flower, collecting resources to return to the nest or hive. They use various techniques to quickly identify potential sources of pollen and nectar, land and extract the precious prize. Regarding flowers and bees, not all flowers are equal; some will contain significantly more forage, while others

No, while it might look like bees are eating wood, they are carpenter bees using their large mandibles to tunnel inside, create a nest, and not ingest any of the wood extracted during this process. These holes are typically ½-inch in diameter and perfectly rounded. This ingenious technique allows the bee to raise her young

Have you ever stopped to think, what do bees do at night? Everyone knows that the main job of most bees is to collect pollen during the warm daylight hours, but where do bees go at night, and what do they do? Only thanks to a study conducted in the 80s do we know the

No, bees do not eat caterpillars. Wasps and hornets regularly predate on caterpillars and can often be mistaken for bees. Bees species, excluding the Vulture bee, feed on a predominantly pollen and nectar diet. This can lead to close encounters with many other insects in the stems, leaves and flowers of plants. Generally, most bees

Despite their name, stingless bees or meliponines are equipped with powerful mandibles to bite intruders alongside injecting a painful formic acid. Stingless bees will also use a sticky resin to actively stick intruders to the floor with some species forming a soldier caste solely to dispatch intruders. Unlike honeybees, stingless bees have vestigial (atrophied) stingers

Yes, while bees aren’t attracted to blood in particular they are often observed drinking foul liquids including blood due to the minerals contained within. Many beekeepers operate on working farms and there have been many reports of bees investigating and drinking spilt blood from farm animals. This extends to other bodily fluids as well, believe

Yes, bees will happily take flight on damp days but flying in the rain for long periods or during heavy rain can be dangerous. Bumble bees are more likely to forage during rainy days than other species like the honey bee that will opt to stay inside the hive during wet weather. So how do

Yes, many bee species eat dandelions, including honeybees, bumblebees and solitary bees. Dandelions have been somewhat demonised as the bane of lawns worldwide. This tiny little weed provides a fantastic food source for the wildlife in your garden. Dandelions, Latin name (Taraxacum officinale), are championed as one of the first flowers to provide a suitable