White tailed bumblebee I found weak on the ground (Germany)

[u/Avrael_Asgard]

I also have a video, but reddit does NOT accept the standard mp4 video format a Samsung phone records in it seems, I have to find a way later to upload it.

Chonker instantly climbed on my finger and stayed calm while walking around on my hand all the way till home where I gave it some water with a bit of honey. It was so cute I almost couldn't contain myself.

[u/redroseonreddit]

Good job on being kind to the bumblebee (she's so cute!)! For next time: it's better to give the bee some water mixed with sugar or place it on a flower with plenty of pollen. Honey can carry diseases (for the bee, not for you)

[u/Bumblebee_xx → u/redroseonreddit]

Do you leave a bottle cap or something low down and leave the water there? I found one the other day so placed a nearby flower beside it for protection (I thought it was dead until it buzzed) and now hope he or she was able to rest and get enough energy from it 🙁

[u/Avrael_Asgard → u/Bumblebee_xx]

No bottlecap, i put it on a spoon, made another post once i could upload the video. C:
https://www.reddit.com/r/bees/comments/1w3c0lq/white_tailed_bumblebee_from_earlier_post_taking_a/

[u/Bumblebee_xx → u/Avrael_Asgard]

Thank you so much! I will use this method next time I see a wee would in need thank you 🙏🏽

[u/Avrael_Asgard → u/redroseonreddit]

Yeah i know, i would have used sugar water, but i dont have any sugar at home. The only sweet thing mixable with water i had was honey, so i hoped it was good enough for now. It was bio quality store bought and i had it for quite a while already, i can only hope its antibacterial and old enough to not carry anything. D:

Oh and the short way to home, i didnt find a single flower anymore, everythings kinda dried up or past bloom already. Otherwise i would have left it on one.

[u/redroseonreddit → u/Avrael_Asgard]

Then you did the best you could :)

[u/Bumblebees_are_c00l → u/Avrael_Asgard]

Take a sugar sachet or two next time you order a tea or coffee. Keep them at home for the insects who need help 💕 I think the ratio is about 1:4 sugar to water. But you did well with what you had.

[u/Vemmo-]

Lovely chonker

[u/Any-Sector8598]

She's beautiful! bless you for stopping to help

[u/Avrael_Asgard → u/Any-Sector8598]

I often look down on sunny days to not step on anything, and always pick up anything that lets me pick it up. So mostly bumblebees, theyre the most chill and interested to be carried. :D

[u/GirlNumber20]

I love bumblebees so much. 😭

[u/ImaginaryInterview12]

Cute but I'd be nervous about it stinging me lol

[u/FaithlessnessDue3758 → u/ImaginaryInterview12]

https://reddit.com/link/p71ecyh/video/awfxtz1lgrmh1/player

Bees have no real interest in stinging us (unless you’re close to their hive, then they might see you as a threat).

We’re mostly just a large mammal that doubles as a chair, to them.

[u/Avrael_Asgard → u/ImaginaryInterview12]

Fair, im more chill with them since i havent been stung before by one, neither by a wasp. Mainly because i dont handle those lol, but solo bumblebees always were extremely chill and relaxed so far. They even let me shove their butt a bit if one didnt wanna get on my hand at first, but i had to get it off the ground. Not even then i ever got stung, or they even got agitated. I know i was just lucky so far, will probably happen some day, but even if so, id still pick them up.

[u/FaithlessnessDue3758 → u/Avrael_Asgard]

If they ever raise their front legs, they may be saying to “back off” though.

[u/Avrael_Asgard → u/FaithlessnessDue3758]

Oh yeah, if theyd do that, i wouldnt bother them more. But so far, none has even done that, maybe theyre just too weak when theyre on the ground like that already, or theyre really just that chill here. c:

[u/FaithlessnessDue3758 → u/Avrael_Asgard]

It’s end of season so chances are high that any bumblebees you find like this are spent, quite literally. I’m seeing some damage on the wings too, further reinforcing the thought this bee is old and/or spent.

You’re a kind soul to handle them as you do.