Bumblebees can play a key role in strengthening pollination programs as they are highly adapted to Canadian weather conditions. Compared to honeybees, they’ll fly earlier in the season, earlier and later each day, as well as in adverse weather conditions such as rain and overcast skies. Bumblebees will also pollinate in much cooler temperatures compared to honeybees, due to their larger body mass and insulating hair (pile).
Commercially reared bumblebee species will forage at temperatures as low as 3-4C (37-39F), and will reliably pollinate crops starting around 10C (50F); for comparison, honeybees usually don’t become active until around 16C (60F). This can cause problems, as in primary blueberry production areas of Canada, like British Colombia, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI, the typical pollination temperatures average between 3-15C (37-55F). Despite their ability to pollinate in much cooler conditions, bumblebees also perform even better in warmer conditions with peak pollinating flight activity between 25-27C (77F-81F).
When introducing Quads (commercial bumblebee hives) into your field, it is important to keep in mind that bumblebees are totally different than honeybees and need to be managed differently to maximize their strengths. Proper placement in the field will maximize these strengths of using bumblebees while minimizing factors that can work against them. Improper placement of bumblebees can lead to worst case scenarios, like the hives being destroyed by honeybee colonies if placed too close, or reduced pollination activities if placed improperly in the crop.
Here are some key factors to be aware of when introducing our Quads into your field, orchard, or bog:
1. Delivery Timing - Bumblebees should be placed in the field just prior to the first flower crack. There will be many alternative food sources, such as dandelions or tree pollen for them to forage on until the crop's blooms open. Getting bumblebees in early will ensure they have the full pollination window to do their work, and will provide a buffer in case the colonies get mildly damaged by shipping, as they will spend a few days repairing the hive before they start foraging for pollen. 5-7 days prior to flower’s opening is a good delivery window to aim for.
2. Distance from Honeybees - Honeybees can completely destroy bumblebee colonies if placed too close; at a minimum, this will divert their attention from pollination as they try to guard their colony from honeybees trying to steal their nectar reserves. Always make sure to position Quads at a minimum off 100 meters away from honeybee hives.
3. Colony Spacing - Though bumblebees will forage and pollinate at temperatures as low as 3-4C (37-39F), they tend to stay within 100m of the colony at these low temperatures. As temperatures climb into more optimal pollination ranges (>10C (50F)), the bumblebee’s forage range will increase to the 300–400-meter range. Honeybees, by comparison, typically forage up to a km away from the hive, so while honeybees can all be placed in one corner of the field, bumblebees must be dispersed throughout the field. Quads need to be spread out as much as possible in a checkerboard style pattern around their 300–400-meter radius foraging patterns. In areas where bears are an issue, quads may need to be grouped to minimize electric fencing costs. We suggest trying to keep a maximum of 4 Quads per fenced area, if possible.
4. Sun or Shade - Bumblebee activity increases as temperatures rise up to about 28C (82F). Make sure to place the Quads in a position that maximizes temperature during spring pollination conditions. For the majority of spring crops in Canada, Quads should not have any shade structure covering them and should be placed directly in the sun. The direct sunlight will warm the colonies earlier in the day, increasing the pollination period and activity. In crops that flower in hot summer conditions where temperatures regularly climb above 28C (82F), Quads should be covered with shade structures to minimize the time bees’ switch from pollinating to ventilating the hive.
5. Elevated - Quads should always be elevated above the ground on a pallet, insulation board, or similar to minimize loss of heat through exposure to the cold ground. This will help make sure the colonies stay warmer, which increases the daily pollination window.
If all of these steps are followed, the Quads strengths will be maximized, allowing the colonies to do their job properly and efficiently, in the specific time frame needed.
See more about our QUADS here:
Bumblebee Pollination for Canadian Fruit Crops – Retail Koppert Canada