Early Spring Nest Reports

June 9th, 2026

In early June, queens and workers are out on flowers collecting pollen and nectar to feed their young and to continue growing the colony. Soon, queens will begin to remain in their nest to lay eggs and rear their young.

Most bumble bee queens will have established nests by the end of June. Now is a great time to get out to complete nest surveys, as colonies are growing larger and more active. As nests grow bigger with workers, they are becoming easier to find.

Reports for nest sightings in Minnesota are beginning to appear on iNaturalist and Bumble Bee Watch. Here we share and review some select observations from reports in Minnesota.

Bombus bimaculatus, grid cell 26

https://www.bumblebeewatch.org/sightings/bee/274274/

Date observed: May 24th, 2026

Nest position: Underground

Nest entrance features: grass less than 6 inches tall, dead wood

25% bare ground around nest entrance

This nest was found by our very own Elise. The nest was found during a gardening session under a raised bed. It appears that a hole was dug out by a small rodent. The bumble bee was able to enter and use the abandoned den to establish her nest. Workers as well as the queen were seen entering and exiting the nest regularly, collecting pollen.

A Bombus bimaculatus worker entering the nest entrance with pollen bags. Photo: Elise Bernstein

Bombus impatiens, grid cell 26

https://www.bumblebeewatch.org/sightings/bee/272277/

Nest observed: May 23, 2026

Nest position: Above the surface of the ground

Nest entrance features: Impervious surface

75%+ bare ground

A nest submitted by user Bananna on Bumble Bee Watch, found within a ceiling beam on the second floor of a patio. In urban areas, nests can often be found in places around our homes.The insulation used to keep our homes warm, is also attractive to nesting bumble bees. We can see the Bombus impatiens queen returning with pollen on her back legs. This suggests that she has established a nest and is preparing to rear young.

A Bombus impatiens queen returning to her nest with pollen. Photo: Bananna via Bumble Bee Watch

Bombus sp., grid cell 20

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/360724913

Date observed: May 11th, 2026

Nest position: Above the surface of the ground

An interesting nest observed by user wesbraker via iNaturalist. The nest was found in a black-capped chickadee nest, which are cavity nesters often associated with birch or alder trees. Bumble bee nests are sometimes found in bird boxes and occasionally in trees. There are still many questions regarding how bumble bees use trees and bird nests for establishing their colonies. This is also a very early nesting observation, suggesting that this is likely Bombus bimaculatus who is known for establishing nests very early.

A bumble bee queen situated in her nest. The moss and hair collected by the black capped-chickadee make for great insulation. Photo: wesbraker via iNaturalist

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