Bumble Bees in Michigan

Michigan is known to have 20 species of bumble bees. Some of them are common and widespread, others live in the Upper Peninsula, and are northern only species. Bumble bee populations are in decline across Michigan. Several different factors are believed to be the cause. Habitat destruction, climate change, pesticides, and pathogens, seem to be the big four causes of bumble bee decline across the state. Pest control companies can help to mitigate the risk to these pollinators by not spraying flowers while bumble bees are present, education of pest control applicators, help to identify and leave wild bumble bee nests alone. Since a bumble bee nest will not over winter in the wall of your home, we suggest letting the winter season take care of the nest if possible. Bumble bees rarely sting unless you actively mess with their nest. If you find that you have a bumble bee nest in the wall of your home or business, please do not do anything to close the entrance hole to their nest, as you will trap the bumble bees inside and they will look for a different exit, possibly into your home! If you have a bumble bee nest that you just can’t deal with, please call Nix Pest Solutions today.

Bumble bees pollinate flowers in their own unique way. With there wings beating 130 times or more per minute, and with there larger size, they do something called “buzz pollinating” which is the pollination of flowers through vibration, that helps the plant to produce more fruit. Because of there larger size than Honey bees they are able to generate heat while flying, so they can fly earlier and later in the day and into cooler higher altitudes.

Bumble Bee Species in Michigan

Rusty-patched bumble bee

Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee

Black-and-gold Bumble Bee

Two spotted Bumble Bee

Northern amber Bumble Bee

Lemon cuckoo Bumble bee

Fernald’s cuckoo Bumble bee

Yellow Bumble bee

Southern plains Bumble bee

Frigid Bumble bee

Brown-belted Bumble bee