Thank you for contributing to this research on the nesting preferences of North American bumble bees! Bumble bees are important pollinators for both agricultural and wild plants, but we know little about their natural history in North America. Your information is important for research on the nesting habits of bumble bees, and will contribute to future conservation efforts.
A bumble bee nest might be located anywhere- one of the reasons for this survey is to find out where they like to nest! It could be under a log, in the ground, in a tree, in the side of a building, or in an old mouse burrow. You'll know you've found a nest if you see bumble bees flying into and out of the same hole repeatedly and if you hear a humming sound near the hole. Bumble bees are gentle and ignore people unless grabbed or their nest threatened, so you're not likely to get stung unless you block the entrance or if you disturb the nest itself. When you're near the nest, move slowly and walk softly so you don't alarm them and you're very unlikely to be stung. You will likely not be able to see the nest, as it will probably be concealed by something like leaves or grass. Don't try to uncover the nest if you can't see it. You don't need to see the nest itself to contribute invaluable information for this research- just be as descriptive of the location as possible.
Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability. Try to answer as many questions as you can about the nest. If you don't know the answer, please select or write "Unknown." Please fill out only one survey per nest.
Before you proceed, please verify that the nest is occupied by bumble bees and not carpenter bees. A carpenter bee has an abdomen that appears shiny because it lacks hair, while a bumble bee has an abdomen that does not appear shiny because it is covered in hair.
Thanks again for your support of bumble bee research!