Product Description

Bombus impatiens, the Eastern bumblebee, enhances crop yields and supports natural ecosystems. These efficient pollinators are essential for various agricultural and horticultural applications, offering superior pollination services for greenhouse and field crops.

Green Methods provides high-quality bumblebee hives to effectively and sustainably meet your pollination needs. Although different names may be used for pollination methods, bumblebee hives remain a trusted solution.

Versatile Pollinators for Diverse Crops

They pollute many crops, including tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and blueberries. These bumblebees are particularly effective for crops that require buzz pollination, a technique in which they vibrate their flight muscles to release pollen from flowers.

Their ability to work in various conditions, including low light and cooler temperatures, makes them invaluable for greenhouse cultivation and early-season outdoor crops. Bumblebees can be found working across various crops, providing essential pollination services.

Environmentally Friendly and Cost-Effective Solution

Using bumblebee hives for pollination reduces the need for manual labor or mechanical pollination methods. This natural approach saves time and resources, promotes biodiversity, and supports the overall health of your agricultural ecosystem.

The presence of these bumblebees can significantly increase fruit set, size, and quality, improving crop yields and profitability. They are also recognized by multiple names, reflecting their widespread importance in natural and agricultural environments.

Why Choose Green Methods for Your Pollination Needs

At Green Methods, we are committed to providing top-quality biological control solutions. As the retail website for Beneficial Insectary, Inc., we offer expert answers to your Integrated Pest Management (IPM) questions.

Our dedicated IPM Specialists have served customers since 2016, ensuring you receive knowledgeable support for all your pollination needs.

Based in Redding, CA, we ship most organisms within 24 hours of purchase, with delivery typically occurring within 48 hours of order placement. With over 30 years in producing beneficial organisms, we guarantee the performance of our products as advertised.

Explore Our Bumblebee Hive Options Today

Whether you’re managing a small greenhouse or a large-scale agricultural operation, we have the right solution. Browse our selection of bumblebee hives and take advantage of our industry-leading expertise in biological pest control and IPM.

Elevate crop production and embrace sustainable farming practices with GreenMethods – your trusted partner in natural pollination solutions.

Release Rates for Bombus impatiens

Classification	Release Information
Medium Hive	This hive consists of a medium sized colony of the bumblebee species Bombus impatiens. At delivery it contains more than 55 workers and will be active for 6 weeks minimum.
Standard Hive	This hive consists of a standard sized colony of the bumblebee species Bombus impatiens. At delivery it contains around 75 workers. This hive will be active for 6-8 weeks minimum.

Why bumblebees?

Bumblebees can completely replace manual pollination and the use of hormones. Bumblebee pollination can give higher yields and better quality fruits. Bumblebees are available throughout the year.

The Biobest hive Biobest was the first in the world to commercially produce bumblebees. Our hive consists of the following parts: A brood box containing the bumblebee colony, a purple rotating disc allowing to open, Lock the bumblebees up … and close the hive. The purple color is attractive to bumblebees and helps them to locate the hive easily. A feeding station containing 2 kg of sugar water. The optional pollen tray can be opened and closed at any time via a sliding door that is easy to operate from the outside.

It takes 11 weeks to produce a bumblebee hive in our quarantined climate rooms. The outer cardboard box is added just before delivery. We produce different bumblebee species at a number of production locations close to the market.

Receipt and set up of the hive

Open the cardboard box. You should see bumblebees on the cotton. Remove the brood box and open the sugar water reservoir. Replace the brood box gently to avoid damaging the wick. Then close the cardboard box. Distribute hives evenly 0,5 m above ground level. Orientate the flight opening towards the south-east and make sure nothing blocks the entrance or exit. Protect the hive from direct sunlight. Wait 30 to 60 minutes before opening the hive.

How do bumblebees pollinate?

Bumblebees grasp the tomato flower and vibrate their thorax to shake the pollen loose. This leaves a small brown mark on the stamen cone. These bite marks help to determine the moment and amount of hives to be added. Very dark bite marks indicate over-pollination. It is best to close the hives. When the number of bite marks is decreasing, new hives must be added to reinforce the pollination activity. General care instructions Bumblebee hives should be handled with care. Avoid using harmful pesticides and hormones. Check the Biobest side effects list to check if pesticides are harmful to bumblebees. If needed lock the bumblebees up and remove the hive. Re-install the hive afterwards in its original position and orientation. Bumblebees perform best at temperatures between 8 and 32 degrees Celsius and humidity of 50 to 80%. If the temperature is above 26 degrees Celsius use the ventilation system. Bumblebees need UV-light for their orientation. Make sure the greenhouse material allows UV-light to penetrate. Remove hives older than 8 weeks.

Pollination by bumblebees is possible in: tomato, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, kiwi, and many more crops.

For more information contact us.

Overnight shipping required.

Order by Wednesday by 12PM PST to receive the following week.

Will ship Tuesday or Wednesday.

This product could be affected by US holidays.