About 3 weeks ago, I found a wild hive of bumble bees inside a
folded-over piece of carpeting I had put in my dog's house.  When I
opened the rug to put it straight, I was buzzed by about 7 medium to
large bumble bees, but noticed another 6 or so small bumble bees not yet
able to fly crawling around on the carpet near what appeared to be a
pollen-covered clutch of midget grapes.  Closer exam revealed these to be
the free-form hive.  I re-folded the carpet, and returned it to its
original position, and monitored their progress daily.  All but 3
(fatalities) of the bees eventually disappeared, presumably into the nearby
fields and woods.  It was interesting to observe their habits, which did
not noticeably differ from that expected.  It may be of interest that
their hive was immediately adjacent to a small garden plot of winter
mustard that was in flower and going to seed.
 
Terry Yawn                          voice phone (904) 335-3930
Theron A. Yawn III, Esq.            SFCC Office A-07  395-5031
3150-A NW 79th Court                Office Hours: TBA
Gainesville, FL 32606-6252          e-mail: [log in to unmask]
 
THE ULTIMATE ANSWER TO ALL SOCIAL PROBLEMS IS:...PUT EDUCATION FIRST!!!
 
On Thu, 11 May 1995, Ann Dougherty wrote:
 
>        Does anyone know how to put together a Bumble Bee Hive?  A friend
> has a nest of Red rumped Bumble Bees in his back yard in the ground.  I
> recall reading a small hive can be built to house them. I'm mostly
> interested in just observing them.  They sure are beautiful bees.  any
> suggestions would be appreciated.
>
>
>                                         Ann
>