Hi! I recently found a bee that was cold and wet. Dripping wet! How long does it take for them to dry off, and is there anything I can do to speed up the process?
It can take many hours for a fully wet bee to dry off! Direct sunlight, moving them temporarily indoors for warmth, and even breathing on them can help dry them faster. When they're really wet, their fluff sticks together, but as they dry off, they'll start cleaning and looking properly fluffy again!
Curious about a bee I saw today... almost landed in my teacup! Very large and fuzzy. Even though it's so late in the year! What might its story have been?
Ah, you likely found a young bumble bee queen soon to go into hibernation! They're out in late fall, searching for the last flowers before digging a little burrow for themselves for winter 🐝💛
They're quite choosy about the spots they pick! Generally speaking, they're looking for soil that drains quickly (they don't want to be too wet for too long!), north-facing, and near to their summer colony's location.
Bring your bee inside (in an enclosure) into a warm room and let her dry out. It'll take some number of hours! You'll see her looking fluffier the warmer and drier she gets. Once she's dry and warm, she'll be ready to fly again 🐝💛
That's lovely to hear that you care about your bee's health! So long as it's just one leg (and there are no other unseen injuries related to when it lost its leg), your bee will be just fine as a five-legged bee 🐝💛
After getting it out of the water (use a leaf or something similar as a 'scoop'), you should then dry your bee off in direct sunlight (or in a warm room) and try him or her with a drop or two of sugar-water mix. Hope your bee recovers quickly!
How lovely that you care about your little bee. Try warming her up, and offering sugar-water mix. Once it's warmer outdoors, set her out in direct sunlight.
Sugar-water and warmth, a recipe to which almost all bees respond with vigor! Then try releasing your bumble bee near to some early-blooming flowers. So long as she has no pollen on her legs, you’re free to find a good bee-friendly flowering spot for her, even if you take her on a little drive (insider her enclosure, that is!)
I advise mixing up a solution of 50-50 sugar-water and offering just one tiny drop in front of your bee. Also try warming your bee up, either with your breath, your body warmth (if it wishes to crawl upon you) or by gently moving it to a sunny location, if there’s sun.
I found a cold, struggling bee, but I'm not at all sure what to do for it, do you have any suggestions?
Leave a Reply to Elise
Just asking about a bee I found that was struggling. It's cold and windy here! Any tips?
Leave a Reply to Elise
I have found a damp cold bee, what do I do?
Leave a Reply to Elise
Warm your bee up and give it a little sugar-water mix 🐝💛
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
Testing
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Testing
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Test
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Test
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
Hi! I recently found a bee that was cold and wet. Dripping wet! How long does it take for them to dry off, and is there anything I can do to speed up the process?
Leave a Reply to Elise
It can take many hours for a fully wet bee to dry off! Direct sunlight, moving them temporarily indoors for warmth, and even breathing on them can help dry them faster. When they're really wet, their fluff sticks together, but as they dry off, they'll start cleaning and looking properly fluffy again!
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
I have a question about a bee I found... it's quite cold and wet!
Leave a Reply to Elise R.
Bee love :)
Leave a Reply to One Bee
Mmm buzz buzz!
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
Shadow bees!!
Leave a Reply to Bee Shadow
Eeeek!!!
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
I found a bee, yay!
Leave a Reply to Bee Lover
Aww, cute!!
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
I found another bee! Just thought I'd let you know 🐝🥰
Leave a Reply to One Bug
Wonderful to hear! 🐝💛✨
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
Curious about a bee I saw today... almost landed in my teacup! Very large and fuzzy. Even though it's so late in the year! What might its story have been?
Leave a Reply to Elise
Ah, you likely found a young bumble bee queen soon to go into hibernation! They're out in late fall, searching for the last flowers before digging a little burrow for themselves for winter 🐝💛
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
One more question: is there anything I can do to help her find a good spot in which to burrow for winter? Thanks!
Leave a Reply to Elise
They're quite choosy about the spots they pick! Generally speaking, they're looking for soil that drains quickly (they don't want to be too wet for too long!), north-facing, and near to their summer colony's location.
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
Hi! It rained overnight and I discovered a sopping wet bee this morning. She's hardly moving! Any advice?
Leave a Reply to Elise Roberts
Bring your bee inside (in an enclosure) into a warm room and let her dry out. It'll take some number of hours! You'll see her looking fluffier the warmer and drier she gets. Once she's dry and warm, she'll be ready to fly again 🐝💛
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
I have found a bee today in my cabin, missing one leg. Will it be able to survive with only five legs? Any tips on helping it?
Leave a Reply to Elise
That's lovely to hear that you care about your bee's health! So long as it's just one leg (and there are no other unseen injuries related to when it lost its leg), your bee will be just fine as a five-legged bee 🐝💛
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
I have a bee question... I found a bee struggling in the water, what should I do?
Leave a Reply to Elise
After getting it out of the water (use a leaf or something similar as a 'scoop'), you should then dry your bee off in direct sunlight (or in a warm room) and try him or her with a drop or two of sugar-water mix. Hope your bee recovers quickly!
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
I found little bee, and am curious what to do because it's chilly and unpredictably wet at this time of year.
Leave a Reply to Elise
Thought I'd check in to see how your bee is doing?
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
How lovely that you care about your little bee. Try warming her up, and offering sugar-water mix. Once it's warmer outdoors, set her out in direct sunlight.
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
Here is a quick link: https://savebees.org
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
Another day, another bee question! This time a bumble bee queen, out early in the year given our weather. What shall I do to help her?
Leave a Reply to Elise
Sugar-water and warmth, a recipe to which almost all bees respond with vigor! Then try releasing your bumble bee near to some early-blooming flowers. So long as she has no pollen on her legs, you’re free to find a good bee-friendly flowering spot for her, even if you take her on a little drive (insider her enclosure, that is!)
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
I found a bee today. Cutest little buzzer ever! Looked as though it might need an energy boost. It’s about to rain here too. What do you advise?
Leave a Reply to Elise
I advise mixing up a solution of 50-50 sugar-water and offering just one tiny drop in front of your bee. Also try warming your bee up, either with your breath, your body warmth (if it wishes to crawl upon you) or by gently moving it to a sunny location, if there’s sun.
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
Thank you so much for your reply! My bee buzzed off happily after a little sugar-water and warmth :)
Leave a Reply to Elise
I have a buzzy little friend all of a sudden. How do I care for him or her?
Leave a Reply to Elise
I have written up detailed info on how to care for your bee on the 1st Aid page, thank you for helping a bee! 💛🐝✨
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog
I have a question about desert bees. Are there really so many kinds out in the desert southwest?
Leave a Reply to Elise
Indeed, there are hundreds of different kinds of bees in the desert! In Utah, Arizona, and similar places, you'll find a dazzling variety of bees.
Leave a Reply to Elise Fog