The decrease of bumblebees in the UK is a very real issue as figures from Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BCT) show a record low in the population since records began. In fact, 2024 was the worst ever year for bees as the numbers had declined by almost a quarter compared to years 2010-2023. This BCT make it their business to ensure the protection and safety of all species of bees in the UK.

The BCT’s home base at the University of Stirling has seen a protest sighting people to ‘Giving bumblebees a vote’. This has come after a report released by State of Nature highlights an alarming statistic that shows one in six species are at risk of extinction. For pollinators, it seems very bleak, with an 18% decline since 1970 which isn't just terrible news for the bees, but for the whole of nature.

The recent cold and wet weather does not allow bees to flourish like they naturally do, and as each spring comes, fewer hives are being observed across the British Isles. Along with changing temperatures and weather, comes other problems such as new pests and diseases from overseas, having a more significant impact on the bees.

The 24 species of bees present in the UK, who play a vital part in the wildlife of the UK and help drastically with pollinating of crops and wildflowers, have come under grave threat. An observation by Conservation charity stated: “white-tailed and red-tailed bumblebees, both common species, fell by 60% and 74% respectively”. Both of which are the most common species used in agricultural settings for all forms of pollination.

A data source published by Jeff Ollerton, ecological scientist and author, released an update on the numbers of bumblebees that had been studied over a 100-year period. It showed a downwards trend of an average of below 275,000 hives. This had a similar number of hives during the mid 1950s, however a significant increase from the 1960’s-1990’s was not expected. A post 2021 world however has seen a mass decrease for the native bee population with figures showing an average of 200,000 hives according to Defra Experimental Statistics.

In the UK alone, we have lost 13 species of bees to various environmental impacts which is huge number and includes the decrease of the Red Mason Bee as they are 120 times more efficient in pollinating apple trees compared to Honeybee’s. Also, it would cost UK farmers £1.8 Billion to pollinate their crops without Bees, which shows just how detrimental this would have as an impact on the economy.

According to Urban Farmer London, without the help of bees, almost 30% of the food we eat would not exist, as bees are responsible for pollination which is linked to the production of fresh fruit and vegetables all year round and throughout each season.

Pesticides being sprayed in a field. Credit: Unsplash

The danger comes from chemicals used in pesticides over the years. A study by Wildlife and Countryside highlighted that 85% of rivers tested in 2023 – 2024 were found to have bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides present, with the proportion affected seeming to have risen slightly from previous years.

The same research highlighted: 25 instances of pesticides were investigated and 13 attributed to the death of bee colonies. However, a significant incline could be seen 10 years later in 2012, with 50 incidences and 33 were caused by pesticides

This shows that this is a huge problem in the UK and has opened the discussion for multiple fundraisers and petitions. They have been created to try and ban harmful pesticides that are killing off the bee population and some steps have been made to increase the use of bee friendly chemicals. It is the only real way that can help these insects and stop this problem in its tracks.

This spring will likely be the toughest for many Bumblebee species with all data going against their way, as a recent study by Natural History Museum predicts even more shrinkage of their habitat and a possible complete extinction by 2060.

Buzzing Towards Extinction: The Fall of Bees in the UK