What a terrific article! I have had many misconceptions about bumblebees all my life. I knew I could pet them when they slept in Russian sage flowers. But i had no idea what they did with all that pollen on their legs! I didn't know they had actual nests. I thought they all hibernated and welcomed them back every spring. Now I know more! FYI, if you can plant milkweed in your yard, they will love it! The wild milkweed with large broad leaves and balls of fragrant flowers is the most attractive. If you are lucky (which we aren't any more here in Baltimore), monarch butterflies will lay eggs on your milkweed and their life cycle will continue as well.
What a terrific article! I have had many misconceptions about bumblebees all my life. I knew I could pet them when they slept in Russian sage flowers. But i had no idea what they did with all that pollen on their legs! I didn't know they had actual nests. I thought they all hibernated and welcomed them back every spring. Now I know more! FYI, if you can plant milkweed in your yard, they will love it! The wild milkweed with large broad leaves and balls of fragrant flowers is the most attractive. If you are lucky (which we aren't any more here in Baltimore), monarch butterflies will lay eggs on your milkweed and their life cycle will continue as well.