Bumblebee people (standard) for pollination of flowers

Bombus terrestris (Earth bumblebees) 
Agrobio bumblebees contain earth bumblebees (Bombus terrestris). Bumblebees are, compared to other pollinating insects, very effective pollinators. Characteristic for bumblebees is the high working speed they use. In addition, the size of the bumble bees causes a powerful movement of the flowers, causing the pollen to come out of the stamen tubes and swirl on the pistils. The bumble bees take care of this movement by hanging at the bottom of the flowers, biting their jaws on the stamens tube and then causing a vibration with muscle movement. The damaged spots on the pollen tube by imprints of their jaws and claws on their legs turn brown quickly (within a few hours), so that the grower can see that the flowers have been inspected/dusted.

 Bumblebees are already active at low temperatures and limited light intensity. Bumblebees are most active between 18°C and 28°C. In general, bumblebees are most active in the morning and in the afternoon. The flowering pattern of the crop plays an important role in this.

Product characteristics

• Highly effective pollinators
• At delivery about 60 to 70 workers per bumblebee hive.
• Most active in the morning and afternoon, at 18°C to 28°C.
• Lifespan 8 to 10 weeks, of which the first six weeks are the most active.
  

Quality control
At Royal Brinkman, a team of specialists checks the quality of beneficial insects, mites and nematodes. Based on a protocol they work to deliver the best quality to the customers.

Packaging
A standard bumblebee hive contains a bumblebee hive with an active queen and a growing bumblebee hive. The queen controls the colony with the help of workers who fly out to collect pollen for the larvae and workers who stay inside to build the nest and take care of and feed the larvae. A standard bumblebee hive consists of an easy to handle cardboard box, with a good ventilation system. The box contains a small box with a bumblebee nest. On top of that is a reservoir with sugar water, from which the bumblebees get food through a fuse. The hive is equipped with a closing system, with which the bumblebee population can be closed. It is also possible to choose for one-way traffic (only in, only out) or two-way traffic.
 
A standard bumblebee hive is supplied with 60 to 70 workers and +/ - 2,300 grams of sugar water. The lifespan of a standard bumblebee herd is, under optimal conditions, 8 to 10 weeks, of which they are most active in the first 6 weeks.

Instructions of use
Place the bumblebee hive horizontally, at least +/- 1 meter above the ground, in a place protected from the sun and moisture, between the crop on the path. When placing more than one bumblebee hive, make sure that the flight openings point in the opposite direction. ( For example, the opening of hive 1 points to the east, then hive 2 points to the west, hive 3 points to the east, etc.) Bumblebees can be combined well with other biological beneficials.

When applying a chemical correction, the effect of the product on the bumblebee colonies should be considered beforehand (always consult the Royal Brinkman spray advice cards). If the chemical correction affects bumblebees, the bumblebees should be removed from the greenhouse and placed in a place where the conditions are approximately the same as in the greenhouse (18°C to 20°C). In preparation for moving, it is necessary to convert the flight opening to the one-way position (only in) a few hours in advance.

Deploy more bumblebees from April. Because the environment outside the greenhouse is in bloom a number of bumblebees can choose to forage outside the greenhouse.
 
Storage and transport
Upon receipt, check the product for discrepancies and report any complaints or comments within 24 hours. Place the bumblebees in the desired location within one hour after receipt and open the flight opening after +/- 1 hour. Open the bumblebee hive until 2 hours before sunset at the latest. If storage is required, the product should be stored at a temperature of 18-20°C for a maximum of 24 hours in a ventilated room. When the product is stored longer and/or under different conditions Royal Brinkman is not liable for loss of quality.

Attention! Always transport the bumblebees horizontally and place them in the greenhouse in a dry place in a horizontal position. Also check for hanging crop gutters! When the bumblebee hive is held at an angle or set at an angle, the sugar water runs out or the sugar wick may dry out prematurely, so that not all nutrients can be absorbed. Both situations have a negative influence on the functioning of the bumblebee population and the flowering.

Horizontal transport and positioning is absolutely essential!