Home ​​​​>​​​​ Knowledge Center​​​​

How to protect bumblebees from heat

When the sun is very strong, the temperature in the greenhouse increases. This can cause the bumblebees in the crop to overheat. This has a negative effect on pollination and, in the worst-case scenario, bumblebees can die. Therefore, when using bumblebees during a warm period, a few points should be considered to prevent pollination problems. We list these points and give tips.
Protect bumblebee from heat
Kevin van Kester
Specialist Quality Controller | June 18, 2021 | 4 min. reading time

Avoid full sun

Make sure that bumblebees are not exposed to the sun when it's hot. Heat causes the bumblebees to tire more quickly. At a temperature between 28 and 32°C, they are less active and therefore pollination takes place less. At a temperature of 32°C or higher, they even stop flying.

Positioning bumblebee boxes lower

If you place the bumblebee boxes lower in the crop during a warm period, less sunlight can reach the bumblebee boxes. This creates more pleasant conditions for the bumblebees, making it less difficult for them during warm days.

Shade

Place bumblebee boxes on the shady side of the path to prevent overheating. If the crop does not provide sufficient shade, create shade yourself. Use a Styrofoam plate, for example, or place the bumblebee boxes in crates. 

Avoid sources of heat

Avoid sources of heat on hot days and check that bumblebee boxes are not too close to heaters or other sources of heat. Also seal off the CO2 hoses that are in a radius of two meters around the bumblebee boxes. 

Using extra bumblebees

At temperatures between 28°C and 32°C, bumblebees become less active, as indicated above. By using extra bumblebees, you will ensure that you still achieve the desired pollination effect by these temperatures.

Compensate for loss

The last point is not related to overheating, but it can cause pollination problems. In spring, the area outside the greenhouse is in bloom. Some of the bumblebee will therefore leave the greenhouse and will no longer return to the bumblebee hive. To compensate for this loss, use more bumblebees from April onwards. 
Related products
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Kevin van Kester will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.

How to protect bumblebees from heat

When the sun is very strong, the temperature in the greenhouse increases. This can cause the bumblebees in the crop to overheat. This has a negative effect on pollination and, in the worst-case scenario, bumblebees can die. Therefore, when using bumblebees during a warm period, a few points should be considered to prevent pollination problems. We list these points and give tips.
Search in the Knowledge Center
​​​​​​​​Find answers to your question in our Knowledge Center. 600+ articles, written by our specialists.​​​​
Kevin van Kester
Kevin van Kester
Specialist Quality Controller | June 18, 2021 | 4 min. reading time
Share this article
Protect bumblebee from heat

Avoid full sun

Make sure that bumblebees are not exposed to the sun when it's hot. Heat causes the bumblebees to tire more quickly. At a temperature between 28 and 32°C, they are less active and therefore pollination takes place less. At a temperature of 32°C or higher, they even stop flying.

Positioning bumblebee boxes lower

If you place the bumblebee boxes lower in the crop during a warm period, less sunlight can reach the bumblebee boxes. This creates more pleasant conditions for the bumblebees, making it less difficult for them during warm days.

Shade

Place bumblebee boxes on the shady side of the path to prevent overheating. If the crop does not provide sufficient shade, create shade yourself. Use a Styrofoam plate, for example, or place the bumblebee boxes in crates. 

Avoid sources of heat

Avoid sources of heat on hot days and check that bumblebee boxes are not too close to heaters or other sources of heat. Also seal off the CO2 hoses that are in a radius of two meters around the bumblebee boxes. 

Using extra bumblebees

At temperatures between 28°C and 32°C, bumblebees become less active, as indicated above. By using extra bumblebees, you will ensure that you still achieve the desired pollination effect by these temperatures.

Compensate for loss

The last point is not related to overheating, but it can cause pollination problems. In spring, the area outside the greenhouse is in bloom. Some of the bumblebee will therefore leave the greenhouse and will no longer return to the bumblebee hive. To compensate for this loss, use more bumblebees from April onwards. 
Related products
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Kevin van Kester will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
Kevin van Kester
Also interesting for you
Whitepaper - Effective pollination with bumblebees
Pollination is crucial for a good and healthy crop. In this whitepaper you will find all the tips and information you need to ensure that the bumblebees do their work as effectively as possible.
How does pollination with bumblebees work?
Pollination is crucial for a healthy crop: without pollination, most crops will not develop (optimally). Nowadays, pollination through bumblebees is much less labor-intensive and therefore cheaper.
How to treat a bumblebee sting
Despite the fact that bumblebees rarely sting, it can still happen that you run into a bumblebee stitch. In most cases this only causes a great deal of pain, but in some cases it can also lead to an allergic reaction.