Are bumblebees a threat to pets and children?

Bumblebees are not aggressive insects. Females, but not males, do have a sting but they are unlikely to use it unless they feel threatened.

The bumblebees that visit your garden or outdoor space are usually only interested in finding flowers. This can be a great opportunity to stand back with children and enjoy watching how bumblebees fly and feed on flowers. If you give them enough space, they will probably ignore you completely and soon be on their way.

Overly inquisitive pets and bumblebees can be kept apart by growing bumblebee-friendly flowers in out of reach post of hanging baskets. The use of temporary barriers, such as garden canes and upturned wire hanging baskets, can also keep nose sand paws from getting too close to bumblebees.

If you find a bumblebee nest in your garden, you might need to make some other temporary adjustments to the areas you use. This might include moving play equipment or using temporary barriers to block off the area immediately around the nest entrance. Bumblebee nests don’t last for very long, just 2 to 3 months usually so it won’t be for long. By the time you notice bumblebees coming and going regularly, the nest has already been there for at least 6 weeks and so it might even be approaching the end of its life.

Having a bumblebee nest in your garden can provide a great opportunity to learn with your children about these vitally important pollinators and how we can live together in harmony.

As with any other medical concern, if your child or pet gets stung and you are concerned about them, please seek appropriate medical attention.