Story: Wasps and bees

Bumblebee nest

Bumblebees make their nests in holes in the ground such as rabbit burrows, or where they can burrow, such as in a compost heap. They also use hollow spaces in buildings. The cells are less regular than those made by honeybees.

Using this item

Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand

Reference: In0593Mrt.tif

by John Marris, Lincoln University

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How to cite this page

John Early, Wasps and bees – Introduced bees, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/11164/bumblebee-nest (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by John Early, published 1 March 2009.

Comments

Glory Riddick
06 January 2014

Hi. I have a nest of bumble bees in my car shed. I don't want them destroyed so what can I do. They are more of a problem to my dog a border collie who chases them. Thanks Glory