Tree Bumblebees (Bombus hypnorum)

First seen in the UK in 2001, now widespread and in the most common 8 species of bumblebees here. Old bird-boxes are a favourite site to build a nest.
https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/white-tailed-bumblebees/tree-bumblebee/

 

Pay rent in honey?

 

Aparently not. Bumblebees store nectar for the larvae and make very little honey. Also the workers do not survive the winter so do not need to stockpile food.

Funny what you research you need to do after simply checking the state of the waterbutt

 

Freeloading cross-pollinators!

 

Yeah, what have they ever done for us?!

 

Honey Nut Cheerios.

 

I've had a small hive at the back of the house for about 6 years now. They're docile, happy neighbours who have noticeably increased the harvest of cherries, soft fruits and apples. The odd time they do get in the house, they're happy to let you open a window for them.

 

[meekly] The aqueduct?

 

Fruiting trees are reported to be their preferred flowers. That is good news for an elderly apple tree in the garden, the last remnant of what was an orchard 60 years ago.

Haven't needed to with these, but all the bumblebees I get in the house are happy to be hand carried out. Cupped in both hands so she is in the dark and docile.

Looking forward to seeing the building of the aqueduct start!

PS, I know the Yanquis know about TLOB, I saw it in Manhatten the week of first release. There were many times more Python fans than protestors

 

The Mrs. and I really want to move somewhere with more lands and I'd like to get bee's, chickens and maybe a goat.

 

Two goats. That's the way you get even more goats. For free!


Wish that worked with watches.

 

Goats mean you don't have to cut your grass.

 

As the poet Anne Stevenson wrote (if I can remember this right from 35 years ago)--"Somebody's notion of living in the country / Is building their own house slowly / Slowly around their own goat."

 

Just need to watch your step.

 

I would be more worried about the free loading borer in the wood that can do a lot of damage to your house and anything made of wood.

Some look quite fresh which is not a good thing

 

Very nice.... but could be the thin end of the idyllic wedge mate.

Back in the 90's my 2nd wife, Melanie, went a bit 'farmers wife' on me and brought this porky chap home one day:
She said "Isn't he adorable? ....He's a 'miniature, Vietnamese, pot bellied, pig"...

I said "No! .... It aint miniature, and it aint Vietnamese!..... It's English!.... and it's a 'fakkin piglet'! And it's gonna become huge... and it's gonna fill my house up with pig shite!

She said "No he won't... you grumpy man!....you can build him a little house in the garden!


I said "But... we have Japanese and Chinese dogs who live in the garden! They will try to eat your "Vietnamese pig!.... and you'll never get the 'fat basstedd' in the back of your VW!

I called the piggy 'Stood'..... because that's all he did. He just 'Stood'.... mainly behind the Television.

 

Well with that attitude I assume you're on wife 3 or 4?