How to recognize a nest

What are signs of bumble bee nesting?

There are several ways you may find nests.

Observing bumble bee flight behavior

Since we are not be focusing on bumble bees at flowers, it will be difficult to get a close look at them and we do not expect species level identification. You will need to distinguish bumble bees from other flying insects as they fly through the air around your Nest Quest plot.

Sight

Bumble bees vary in size, but tend to be stouter than other bees, wasps, or flies that you might encounter. They tend to fly as if they are heading for a target, whereas flies, for example, may spend more time hovering. Many bumble bees are dark in appearance as they fly, though you may see yellow or red coloration. They may have bright colored pollen on their legs.

Sound

Bumble bees make a characteristic buzz as they fly through the air. The hum is similar to the sound of a distant jet ski motor or chain saw. It is lower frequency than the buzz of honey bees or flies.

Once you are used to seeing flying bumble bees, look for a few key behaviors. Look for bumble bees suddenly flying down into the ground (or another structure such as a rock wall or bird nest). If you see a bee entering a hole, you will need wait until you see the bee emerge to confirm that there is a nest there, and the bee did not just fly down to rest. This may take up to 20 minutes. If you do not see additional activity after 20 minutes, move on and complete your survey.

This is a common eastern bumble bee nest from Quebec, Canada. Watch how the bees fly up after crawling out of the nest entrance. Sometimes they will hover for a moment for leaving, but they generally take flight fairly quickly.

This is a nest that was discovered in a sidewalk, which is an unusual location for a bumble bee nest. Watch how bumble bees enter their nests. Some of them pause and hover for a moment before entering, some of them fly right into the nest, and others crawl their way into the nest.

You may also see bees leaving a nest. When bumble bees leave their nests, they often take characteristic orientation flight, where they fly in increasingly large circles facing their nest. This behavior helps them to recognize their nest when they return. If you observe this behavior, wait 15 minutes in the area to see if you see a bee entering the nest to be able to confirm the nest location. If you do not see additional activity, still make note of the location and check back later.

B. auricomus workers lowering into nest.MP4

This video shows black and gold bumble bees doing the classic circular orientation flight into their nest. Watch the video from 0:11-0:20 seconds to get the best view of the orientation flight.

Finding the nest

Occasionally, you may find a nest itself before seeing any flying bees. Sometimes, bumble bees nest on the surface of the ground, in cavities of trees, and other human made structures. If you walk near the nest, you may hear the bumble bees buzzing inside, cueing you into the nest. If you find a nest with this characteristic buzzing sound, be sure to take a few steps back to give the nest some distance.

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