How to try to save a tired life - in this case, a bumblebee’s

A few days ago, I noticed a bumblebee flat out exhausted on a path. At first I thought she might have been dead. But then I saw a tiny movement. Without my help, I am almost certain she wouldn’t have made it.

In hot, dry, windy weather, like we have been having, bumblebees struggle. Their large bodies burn huge amounts of energy buzzing around collecting pollen. They are only ever about 20 minutes away from exhaustion or starvation without rest, water, or nourishment. (And bumblebees are incredibly effective pollinators. A single bumblebee can do the work of roughly 50 honeybees (!!) in terms of pollination efficiency, particularly in specific crops like tomatoes, blueberries, and kiwifruit.)

If you see a struggling bumblebee, perhaps lying flat out exhausted on a path like I did, first make sure she’s in a safe place, away from walkers or traffic. If she's not, gently move her. Once I popped a bumblebee into a shoebox with a flower and some foliage. But this time I just used a flat card to gently move her to a quiet area.

Then offer a few drops of lightly sugared water (not honey) and leave her be.

That may be enough for her to recover. In my case, thankfully, it was. After about an hour, she was slowly walking, and then she flew.

But prevention is better. Perhaps the most helpful support comes from planting bee-friendly flowers. Places to land. Enough nourishment built into the environment so rescue isn’t needed quite so often.

We could also extend the metaphor a little further. Do you see the equivalent of a hot, windy, drought like summer season in your organisation or life, or in this wild world? What are your systems for nourishment, protection, and emergency care, as well as celebrating and growing natural talent and effort?

The same is true for people. At work, at home. Performance, in life or work, grows from attention, protection, care, and a little nourishment.

For those interested in more detail about helping a bee, here are some steps and a short video:

Steps to Help a Tired Bee

1. Assess if it needs help – Is it struggling and exhausted, or simply resting on a flower?

2. Prepare sugar water – Two parts white sugar to one part water, or 50/50 (I think mine was a little more diluted). Do not use honey or brown sugar or other kinds of sugars.

3. Offer the solution – Place a single drop on a spoon or shallow lid near the bee’s head. She’ll smell it and she’ll drink if needed.

4. Let it drink – Don’t force it; you’ll see its wings quiver as it revives.

5. Temporary fix – Sugar water is just a first-aid boost; it’s not a substitute for the diverse diet bees get from flowers.

6. No honey – Never give honey.

7. Prevention – Plant bee-friendly flowers to support pollinators long-term.

Video: https://lnkd.in/e-wMfJTb

Shoutout to Adonyi Gábor for the lovely flower and bumble photo.