Bumble bees

Help, we have bumble bees nesting under our shed, not really a problem until I need to work on the adjacent veg plot. I just got stung!. Do they have a time during the day when less actively?.Any ideas please?

 

They don't normally sting unless you get them rattled, are they bumbles or honey bees.

 

Def bumble bees. They are nesting under the shed. I got buzzed while raking over my raised bed. I have never been stung before by any bee. It was on my trousers and I felt the sting, brushed it off, and saw it was a small bumble.

 

Not really sure what you can do, ots a case of kill them off or leave them alone, always a difficult one.
All I can add is that they once set up home in my bluetits box, I thought they would be there all summer but they were gone in a few weeks.

 

I wouldn't want to kill them, as they are so important and I base all my planting on being bee friendly. I was just hoping to find out if there is a time during the day when they are less active, then I can work around them?

 

Unfortunately they work all day, which at this time of year is a long shift. Typically they won’t be as active if raining, but I suppose that’s the same for us!

I think they are attracted to blue and pastels colours so avoid those clothes?

 

Early morning or early evening bumble bees tend to be more quiet so it might be worth trying those times.

 

I agree that when it's cooler you should be fine but I think you were really unlucky to be stung in the first place.

 

No.... Surely not a bumble stinging ! Only time I've known it was when the child stood on one on the grass (read clover) when young and without socks and shoes. It is a very last resort for them to do so. We also had one under the shed last year (or the year before) and were in and out of it without problem. This year (again not something I've ever seen) we have some kind of bumble in the grass and they are going a little mad when it's being cut

 

Bumble bees an solitary bees most definitely will sting. I was working on a raised bed and thought a thorn had come through the back of my glove. Closer inspection showed that a bee had taken exception to me working close to its hole. That was extremely painful.

 

Ahh, I was wearing blue trousers...will change that. Thankyou

 

Thats good to know, will keep that in mind. Thankyou

 

Yes, just my luck!
But, hey ho, we will try to work around them...just need them to understand live & let live...

 

Yes, it was painful, got afterbite on it straight away, throbbed a bit during the night. Better now though. Thankyou

 

I have never had this problem before, they would have to move in under my potting shed...