Bumblebees are really amazing insects that benefit us all. They are fantastic to watch bumbling about in the garden and are a valued part of the Sussex landscape. But most importantly they are vital pollinators.
Bumblebees help to pollinate many of our arable and horticultural crops, including currants, strawberries, tomatoes and broad, field and runner beans. Without them, there would be little or no crop to harvest. In total the value of Europe’s insect pollinators is estimated at €14.2 billion annually. In some regions where fields are large and there are few hedgerows, queen bumblebees are struggling to find places to nest and feed and crop yields are already falling.