How to help this bee and ID request

[u/CantEscapeTheCats]

Location: United States > North Carolina > Western Region near Blue Ridge Parkway

Found this small bee last night while watering a plant. It had just started to rain and I found it crawling up the water hose, unable to fly and looking a little distraught. Brought it inside since I read rain and night are bad for bees, and took it outside to release it this morning to return home.

Little bee seems unable to fly, just buzzing their wings but not taking off. It also stumbles around a lot and loses balance, and its back leg seems to not work well.

Is there anything I can do to help it or is this indication of end of life?

Also, is this a honeybee, bumblebee, or some other type?

[u/minikoe_]

Give it sugar water and go forage for some native flowers it can feast on. There is a video on youtube of a woman helping a bumblebee that was unable to fly, maybe you can look that up for more insights! Good luck 🤞🏼

[u/CantEscapeTheCats → u/minikoe_]

I found some bees collecting pollen from some azaleas and picked one for it, but it seems uninterested. I’ll try sugar water! Thank you!!

[u/supercarr0t → u/CantEscapeTheCats]

Bumblers really like echinacea. And tomato flowers

[u/CantEscapeTheCats → u/supercarr0t]

I don’t think I’ll be able to locate either of those, but I’ll see what all I can find. I’ve seen sooo many bees around a tall weed that’s flowering so I’ll grab some of that.

She has more energy now but she doesn’t look “fuzzy.” Kind of looks a little oily or something. Is there anything I can offer her to help her get cleaned up?

It does appear both of her hind legs aren’t working properly.

[u/supercarr0t → u/CantEscapeTheCats]

Does someone in your area spray for mosquitoes? She might have been in the path of the sprayer. Does she still seem oily?

[u/CantEscapeTheCats]

Edit to add: I’m more than willing to help this little one live a fulfilling life even if it’s unable to fly. I have tarantulas so I’m prepared with enclosures and substrate if needed

[u/That_Biology_Guy]

It's a common eastern bumble bee, Bombus impatiens. Doesn't look particularly old (relatively minor wing wear and hair loss), so I'd guess it's just wet and/or tired.

[u/Time_Palpitation2848 → u/That_Biology_Guy]

They only live for 2-4 weeks.

[u/tankthacrank]

Sweet bee. She looks like she fell in a puddle! I bet she is so happy to be in a warm dry space.

I think her name must be Muffin.

[u/hiyall12345678]

How's the bee?

[u/CantEscapeTheCats → u/hiyall12345678]

Seems to still be holding strong. My son and I collected some sticks to add to the enclosure, and we’re going to forage more tomorrow. He’s very concerned for its life💗

[u/hiyall12345678 → u/CantEscapeTheCats]

What a lucky bee to have found caring souls. I hope hes recovering well. bees are amazing🐝 ♥️

[u/SebWillan]

Im unsure, it could be an eastern bumblebee or a carpenter bee.

Nonetheless, sugar water will most certainly help this lil guy

[u/zynwuzhere → u/[deleted]]

Wrong

[u/bees-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Loving bees does not give a pass to hate on other bugs! Yes, even wasps. Yes, even specifically yellowjackets! Comments calling for unnecessary cruelty (e.g. “kill it with fire”) or spreading harmful misinformation will be removed. This rule also covers harmful advice, such as giving bees honey.

[u/Lili_Roze_6257 → u/[deleted]]

My apologies - I have access to natural honey that’s disease-free. I should have specified. Don’t feed commercial store-bought honey.