Wildlife

Bumblebee Welfare in Garden Habitats

Bumblebee populations are declining across the UK, and gardens with diverse, pollen-rich planting and nesting opportunities provide critical refugia for multiple species facing farmland habitat loss.

Key Facts

26 of 27 UK bumblebee species have experienced significant population declines
Gardens cover more land area than all UK National Nature Reserves combined
Bumblebees require early spring flowers, summer forage and autumn late flowers across the whole season
Buff-tailed bumblebees now sometimes forage through mild UK winters, requiring winter flower availability

Welfare Considerations

Bumblebee welfare in urban and suburban settings is constrained by simplified planting schemes and lack of nesting sites. Queen bumblebees require undisturbed soil, moss and vegetation for nest establishment. Worker welfare depends on continuous pollen and nectar availability throughout their short foraging season. Pesticide exposure remains a significant threat even in gardens.

What You Can Do

Plant a continuous succession of single-flowered, pollen-rich plants from February to November
Avoid pesticide use, particularly neonicotinoid-treated plants, in bumblebee-foraging gardens
Leave areas of undisturbed soil, moss and grass for nesting queen bumblebees
Support the Bumblebee Conservation Trust surveys and advocacy campaigns