Bumblebee Rescue and Foster Parent Program

· by · in Important Notices. ·

In the 2010 season, A.B.C recieved dozens of calls about found or dug up bumblebee nests from members of the Calgary community. These community members had heard of the challenges facing honeybees across the globe and were concerned about the hurt or nuiscence bee colonies. As a honeybee keeper, I wasnt sure what to do about the calls. But as I learned more about the silent plight of the bumblebee: destroyed habitats, decreasing numbers, the challenges with pesticides and fertillizers in the city, and lack of information on their populations, I decided to take action. 2011 is the Year of the Bumblebee as far as A.B.C is concerned. A.B.C is piloting the Bumblebee Rescue and Foster Parent Program with the support of Bumblebee expert Dr. Robert Owen of Mount Royal University. A.B.C hopes to save potentially destroyed bumblebee communities by offering free removal and relocation from May to August. A.B.C will be developing a study on the species and locations on bumblebees from around the city. A.B.C is looking for volunteers to help us relocate the bumblebees to new happy and loving yards, and also for families eager to take the displaced bees in to their familial ecosystems! The bumblebees wont have to be relocated to be apart of the small study. If you have some bumblebee nests in your yard, and you would like to help our study, please contact A.B.C at info@backyardbees.ca with the title line “bumblebees”.

As of 2015, the program still runs, but separately from Mount Royal University. We are offering Bumble Bee education and removal services. If you are interested in participating with our new program, please go to our home website and fill out this form: www.backyardbees.ca/nativebees/bumblebees 

5 responses to “Bumblebee Rescue and Foster Parent Program”

  2. I have discovered a bee hive nestled on top of some fabric/clothing in a plastic bin that has been on a balcony for some time. I don’t know if it was “in progress” of being built when I found it, but after leaving it for a week or so, there’s still live bee activity on the part that is exposed. Can anyone advise ie. rescuing/relocating versus killing it?

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    • hy carla
      I am glad that we were able to come by and have a chat, and have a look at the bees that you had nested there!

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  3. I have a hive that can only be a few weeks old. It is in a spot that doesn’t work for my family, and surprisingly in a low lying bird house. It will need to be removed, preferably to a new home. I should say, I’m not sure what kind of bees they are.

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  4. We have a nest of bees under out deck and just inside the house wall. They have been there for years but now there are so many more. Sometimes I can’t even go out the back door to the deck. I think they are bumblebees. They are a bit hairy and their rear ends are a rusty orange colour. I can’t get a picture because they come and go off the propery so fast and don’t stop. We are planning on rebuilding our deck next spring so is if possible to get them removed?

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