How to create comfortable conditions for bumblebees in greenhouses

A bumblebee is an excellent pollinator for greenhouse plants. The main thing is to organize comfortable conditions for insects to carry pollen. We tell you what the lighting should be, how to maintain a balance of temperature and humidity, and how to protect bumblebees from pesticides.

Why is a bumblebee the best pollinator for greenhouse plants?

Pollination of plants is one of the critical factors for a good harvest. But in greenhouses, flowers do not always pollinate well: the wind does not carry pollen, and insects cannot get in if the greenhouse is closed. They are trying to solve the problem:

By hand pollination. A person carries the pollen himself with a brush, a cotton swab, or by shaking the plants. However, this work is too time-consuming, expensive, and ineffective if large numbers of plants are involved.

By artificially attracting insects. Bees and bumblebees can be used. Bumblebees are more suitable for pollinating greenhouse plants:

• Work at lower temperatures. Bumblebee can work from + 5 ° C. A bee at temperatures less than + 8 ° C begins to stiffen. At + 15 ° C, the bee will work much slower than the bumblebee.

• They pollinate crops. Some crops are not pollinated by bees, such as tomatoes. Bumblebees carry pollen not only from tomatoes, but also from eggplants, strawberries, peppers, and cucumbers.

• They work in greenhouses. In summer, bees fly out of the greenhouse more often than bumblebees.

 If you correctly calculate the number of bumblebees and plants in the farm, you can achieve 100% pollination and, therefore, a large crop.

Comfortable conditions for bumblebees

To get bumblebees, you can buy a ready-made hive. You can order one online. The hives come with instructions and usually a feeder. The houses must be hung up, otherwise the bumblebees can be harmed by ants, wasps, mice, and other pests.

To keep the insects from dying, it is necessary to:

• maintain a level of light that is comfortable for their eyesight;

• maintain a balance of temperature and humidity;

• protect against pesticide ingestion.

Lighting in the greenhouse

Bumblebees can see in the limited ultraviolet part of the spectrum and perceive nothing in the infrared heat zone. When they lack the UV component with a 300-400 nm wavelength, the insects try not to leave the hive. If a bumblebee flies out of the nest under these conditions, it may not return because it will not find its way back. This is why you need to consider the light transmission of greenhouse covers so that bumblebees can work.

Modern farms use film and plastic covers - you can read about their benefits here. Light penetration, including the ultraviolet part of the spectrum, is different for each material. This is because they use UV stabilizers and other additives, making the films last for many years. However, if the material restricts the light spectrum, the bumblebees inside the greenhouse are less able to navigate.

Conditions are unsuitable for bumblebees in greenhouses with covers that block more than 80% of UV light. Insects will lose their spatial orientation, will not be able to find plants for pollination, and will not return to the hive.

What to do?

Do not use light-forming films to cover greenhouses, as they disorient bumblebees.

Good option — "Svetlitsa" film from SPF "Shar": it transmits the natural UV spectrum. This means that bumblebees can move freely inside the greenhouse. The coating is also difficult to damage, lasts at least 7 years, and does not need to be removed for the winter.

The necessary level of light is created by «Neva premium», designed specifically for use in agroindustrial and dacha greenhouses in all regions of the country. It is heat and frost resistant, does not require removal for the winter, and passes the ultraviolet spectrum, remaining resistant to it.

Temperature and humidity balance

The "working" temperature for the bumblebee is +5 °C. The maximum temperature is up to 40 ° C, but after 30 ° C insects hide in a hive to wait out the heat. The optimal temperature for them is 15-28 ° C.

The most destructive to bumblebees is the combination of high temperature and humidity. Therefore, if it is very hot outside, the greenhouse should not be cooled with water.

What to do?

On hot days, greenhouses should be well ventilated, and the temperature checked constantly. This is especially true for greenhouses covered with polycarbonate because their humidity is much higher than in greenhouses under the film.

When ventilating, you need to make sure that bumblebees do not fly outside the complex: do not leave the greenhouse open, check for holes in the cover. To avoid worrying about this, you can use film «Svetlitsa». It is highly durable, and if it breaks, it can be quickly and easily repaired. Read how to do it and watch the video here.

Pesticide protection

To protect plants from pests, even organic farms use special products. Only substances that are safe for humans may be used. They are not harmful to pollinators as long as they are not sprayed directly on insects.

What to do?

Keep bumblebees out of the hives during and several hours after treatments. After applying pesticides, ventilate the greenhouse thoroughly. This is usually enough to keep the insects harmless.