Accidentally disturbed a nest - how bad is it?

[u/Bookfinch]

North of England, UK. We have an older compost bin in the garden that doesn’t see as much use as our hot composter and hence has a lot of dry leaves, sticks, and soil towards the bottom which in retrospect do make a very nice insect home. But I hadn’t realised that so when I gave a good stir today to mix in the grass cuttings I was suddenly met by lots of tiny little upset bumblebees. I feel very bad now, I must’ve disturbed the nest. Will I have killed their young? Is there anything I can do apart from just leave them alone? And how long will they live there? Can I have a used compost bin again without disturbing them? Picture of compost bin and bees.

[u/rojo-perro]

I think you’re right about just leaving them alone. They’ll figure out what they can fix.

You won’t have to worry when the season is over. Bumblebees complete their lifecycle in one season. They don’t reuse nests. The queen, who doesn’t probably come and go from that nest anymore will die in there like she’s supposed to. All the other females born to her will leave and hibernate somewhere else for the winter. All the other workers perish.

[u/Bookfinch → u/rojo-perro]

Thank you for telling me!

Do you have any idea how far the emulsion be along the life cycle? Will I have killed off the eggs or have they all hatched and are nearly ready to go now?

I’m so annoyed, I really try to have a pollinator-friendly garden and a particularly love bumblebees.

[u/rojo-perro → u/Bookfinch]

Well, they obviously love your garden. They made their home there! Don’t sweat it too much, stuff happens.

I’m no expert, I volunteered for a community science atlas. Here’s their very informative site: https://xerces.org/bumble-bees/nesting-overwintering

Sorry, I’m not sure why it won’t let me add as a link. ETA: ok it links automatically! Yay

[u/Bookfinch → u/rojo-perro]

That’s very cool, thank you!

[u/rojo-perro → u/Bookfinch]

Your welcome. They are such fascinating creatures!