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Insects Garden Clinic Native Plant Exchange

Bumblebee help?

getgoing100_7b_nj

5 months ago

I had brought in from the balcony a bunch of flowering plants that were in danger of frost a couple of days back. I put them back out today and in the process felt something sticking to the corner of my fleece jacket (outside my peripheral vision) and instinctively pulled it out, realized it was a furry bug, and threw it on the balcony floor. Turned out to be a bumblebee. I have had one hanging out, mostly sitting on the dahlias. So, I helped it get up on a dahlia flower with visible pollen.it didn't move much after that for quite a bit. It's cold out there, between 50 and 55 even during day time and no sun on the balcony. I looked up on internet and decided to give it some sugar water (pored a bit next to it on the flower. A few more hours and still not much action. I feel guilty for generally messing with it's habitat by moving my plants in and out. So, now I have brought that dahlia pot indoors (65, no heating yet) and it now actively moving around on flowers, probably using the sugar syrup. What's the best course of action. I know they don't live long and nature takes its course but I want to make up for my intervention.

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Comments (3)

callirhoe123
5 months ago
Put the plant back outside and see if it can fly off. Its life is over in one season in any case.
PRO
The Logician LLC
5 months ago
The bee may be nearing the end of its natural lifespan. Best to put just the bee outdoors in a planted area (away from vehicle or foot traffic) so that its body will be subject to natural processes.
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getgoing100_7b_nj
Original Author
5 months ago
I felt it was too cold out so I let it stay in until next noon when it was mildew. It is still hanging on to the bottom side of the dahlia it was on. I guess it is dead or dying. RIP lil bumblebee.

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