Bumblebee
Large, round, very fuzzy, yellow and black
Individual
Swarm
Nest / Hive
Wing / Body Pattern
What It Is
Bumblebees are large native bees in the genus Bombus, common across Middle Tennessee and a familiar sight in Nashville-area gardens. Unlike honeybees, bumblebee colonies are annual: they grow through spring and summer, peak in late summer, and die off in fall. Only the mated queens survive winter to start new colonies the following spring. This annual cycle is a critical practical fact for homeowners. Size: 3/4 to 1 inch, noticeably larger and rounder than a honeybee.
How to Identify
Bumblebees are large, round, and densely fuzzy throughout the body, including the abdomen. This all-over fuzz is the main visual distinguisher from carpenter bees, which are similar in size but have a smooth, shiny abdomen. Color: typically black and yellow banding, though specific patterns vary by species. Nest: most commonly underground in abandoned rodent burrows, compost heaps, or loose soil near the surface, and sometimes in wall voids or attic insulation. Colony size is small, 50 to 400 bees, not tens of thousands.
Behavior and Risk
Bumblebees are generally docile relative to their size. They will sting if the nest is directly disturbed, but they are far less defensive than yellowjackets and do not mobilize in the large numbers that honeybees do. Unlike honeybees, bumblebees do not have barbed stingers, so females can sting more than once. Males cannot sting. The annual die-off in fall is an important practical point: a bumblebee colony that is not in an immediately dangerous location will naturally end by late fall.
How to Handle
If you find a bumblebee nest in a low-risk location away from foot traffic, monitoring through the season is often the appropriate choice, because the colony will end naturally in fall. If the nest is in a high-traffic area or poses an immediate risk to someone with a bee allergy, contact us for an assessment. Do not spray or disturb the nest.
The most common bumblebee misidentification is the carpenter bee. Both are large and black and yellow. The distinguisher is the abdomen: bumblebee abdomens are fuzzy, carpenter bee abdomens are smooth and shiny.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will bumblebees leave on their own?
Yes, in fall. Bumblebee colonies die off as temperatures drop, and only the mated queen survives. If the nest is in a safe location, waiting out the season is a reasonable approach.
Do bumblebees sting?
Female bumblebees can sting and will do so if the nest is directly disturbed. Males cannot sting. Unprovoked stinging away from the nest is uncommon.
Does Beecasso remove bumblebees?
Bumblebees are important native pollinators. Given their value and brief seasonal presence, the right approach depends on nest location and situation. Send us a photo for a free ID and to discuss your options.
Why are bumblebees important?
Bumblebees are highly effective pollinators for many plants and crops. Their populations have declined significantly in recent decades due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and disease. This is why we approach removal of bumblebees conservatively and assess each situation individually.
Is a bumblebee the same as a carpenter bee?
No. Both are large, but the distinction is clear: bumblebee abdomens are fully fuzzy, while carpenter bee abdomens are smooth and shiny black. Bumblebees typically nest in the ground, while carpenter bees drill round holes in wood.
What our customers say
4.9 stars · 118 reviews
They were incredible. Came out on super short notice, were extremely professional, and went above and beyond to handle everything thoroughly. You can tell they really care about doing the job right. So grateful we found them--highly recommend!
Steve is honest and fair. They do great work. I just used them and highly recommend them.
We live in an apartment complex where beecasso was kindly called to be of service by our apartment management team, to address a cluster of bees that were trying to make their home on our patio. Not only did Beecasso team member, Caleb, come out next day, he was incredibly professional, thorough, and kind during his service. Jerry, another Beecasso team member, also came out the following day and followed the same professional, empathetic, and efficient service that we received the day prior. After the treatment, we had a question about the lingering bees and called the service line that was provided to us on a handout given by Caleb on the first day, explaining more about the process. Steve, the manager / owner, answered and was incredibly knowledgeable, reassuring, and committed to helping the issue resolve. All I can say is that with every interaction, Beecasso was exactly the type of service team that I would hope to address our concerns. They were also extremely sensitive to the alarm presented since we have a bee allergy in our home, and also a tenant next door also has a bee allergy as well and we just wanted the bees gone. So, it was really important to us that no straggler bees entered our house as each service person came and went through our home to the patio. Each member of the team were so cautious and attuned to help keep the inside “bee-free.” Although this is not our property, we are beyond thankful that our management found / contracted this business because they truly were everything we could have hoped during this unsettling process.