• Queens usually hibernate underground in the season of winter.
  • They emerge out of hibernation within the season of spring and start to establish the foundations of a new nest and lay eggs. Often seeking the bases to their nest from abandoned mouse holes.
  • Over the next couple of months the nest expands, inclusive of the bumble bee population.
  • Workers support the growth of the nest and raise the reproductive queens offspring. 
  • The Queen continues to reproduce eggs.
  • Towards the season of autumn, the nest produces numerous males and females which then reproduce.
  • Within the winter season, these new queens hibernate predominantly in warm haven.
  • Nests most commonly die off, although few do survive. Thus includes all males, workers and old queens dying off.
  • A colony has the ability to produce a population of 200 worker.
  • Worker bumble bees life span is short and often only lasts between three to six weeks.
  • A queen bumble bees life span is far greater, lasting up to a year.