Wildlife

Wild Bee Colony Welfare

Wild bee colonies including bumblebees and solitary bees face welfare challenges from pesticide exposure, habitat loss, and disease.

Key Facts

Over 250 species of bee are native to the UK, including 25 bumblebee species
Colony collapse and population decline affect both wild and managed bee populations
Neonicotinoid pesticides cause sublethal effects including impaired navigation and reproduction
Varroa mite infestations cause colony collapse in managed honeybees without treatment
Wildflower-rich habitats provide diverse pollen and nectar that support diverse bee species needs

Welfare Considerations

Bees experiencing sublethal pesticide exposure suffer impaired learning, navigation, and reproduction. Whether individual bees experience pain is debated, but colony-level welfare clearly declines with pesticide and disease burden.

What You Can Do

Plant diverse native wildflowers to support wild bee foraging and nesting
Avoid systemic insecticides including neonicotinoids in gardens
Support agri-environment schemes that maintain wildflower margins and nesting habitat