Identify Your Pest Flying insects Bumblebee
Bumblebee
Bombus spp. · Also called: Bumble bee
Bumblebees are large, fuzzy native bees that pollinate gardens, crops and wildflowers across Alberta. People notice them when a nest turns up in a bird house, under a deck or shed, or in a compost pile close to where they work or play.
Size About 8 to 25 mm long; queens are largest
Colour Black and yellow bands; some add orange, red or white
Key feature Round, very fuzzy body, with thick hair covering the abdomen
Season Queens appear in April or May; colonies end by late summer or fall
Where Old rodent holes, under decks and sheds, bird houses, compost, insulation
What it looks like
Bumblebees are plump, round bees covered in thick, soft hair. Most are black and yellow, but many Alberta species also show bands of orange, red or white near the tail. They fly with a deep, loud buzz and work quickly from flower to flower. Queens seen in early spring are the largest, and workers later in summer can be much smaller.
Nests are small and untidy, with rounded wax pots rather than neat six-sided comb. You rarely see the nest itself. Instead you notice a few bees going in and out of a hole in the ground, a gap under a step, a bird house or a vent. Traffic is steady but light, not the busy stream of a wasp nest.
Often confused with
Honeybee
Yellowjacket
Bee-mimic flies
Signs to look for
Bees at one small hole
Bees in a bird house or vent
Low humming sound
Large bees in early spring
Risks and damage
Bumblebees are gentle and rarely sting unless a nest is disturbed or a bee is squeezed or trapped. Only females sting, and they can sting more than once. People with a bee venom allergy should stay well away from nests and get medical help fast if a sting causes hives, swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing. Bumblebees do not damage wood or buildings. Most problems come from a nest beside a door, path or play area.
In Alberta
Alberta has about 30 native bumblebee species, and they are common in Edmonton, Calgary and rural areas. Queens wake from hibernation in spring, colonies peak in midsummer, and the old queen and workers die by fall. Only new queens survive the winter.
Bumblebees can buzz pollinate. A bee grips a flower and vibrates its flight muscles to shake the pollen loose, which helps plants such as tomatoes and blueberries set fruit.
How to keep them out
Close gaps before spring
Fill old rodent holes
Tidy nest boxes and vents
Offer a safer place to nest
When it is time to bring in a professional
Most bumblebee nests can be left alone until they die off naturally in late summer or fall. A professional is worth it when a nest is inside a wall, beside a busy doorway or near someone with a bee allergy. Technica’s licensed technicians can confirm the species and help with relocation where it is possible.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to remove a bumblebee nest?
Usually not. A colony lasts one season and ends on its own by fall. If the nest is out of the way, keeping people and pets at a distance is often enough. Once it is empty, seal the opening so a new queen cannot use it next year.
Can a bumblebee nest be moved?
Sometimes, but moving a nest often fails and the colony can die. Nests in a bird house or box are the easiest to move. Nests deep in the ground or inside walls are hard to reach without harming the colony, so waiting until fall is often the kinder choice.
Will bumblebees chew into my house?
No. Bumblebees do not chew wood or drywall. They only move into spaces that already exist, such as old mouse nests, gaps under steps or insulation inside a wall.