Bumblebees

[Humerous Vegetable]

I'm a bit concerned about the number of dead bumblebees I keep finding in my garden over the last month. I just found another one on my apple blossom this morning. I don't use any type of chemical spray and I haven't seen any agricultural spraying going on round here, so is it this bee virus do you think?
As I have only ever seen about half a dozen honey bees in this garden in the last 5 years, I depend on the bumblebees to pollinate my fruit and flowers. There has usually been a healthy population of both white-tailed and yellow in past years. Any advice would be gratefully received.

[Rheghead]

I've just walked to the shop and I saw 6 dead bumblebees or lying dormant on the ground.

[astroman]

You'll get some info on bumblebees here:
http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk
I'm a member of the Trust and have found them to be very helpful in answering any questions you might have.

You might find the details at the following links of interest:
http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/contact_us.htm#Im_seeing_quite_a_few_dead_bees_in_ my_garden_-_is_this_normal
http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/gardening_for_bumblebees.htm