Why are all of our bumble bees enormous and unable to fly?

This summer, all the bumble bees we've seen around our yard have been unusually huge. And all of them have been having big problems flying. They look drunk. They'll get a tiny bit above the ground and then fall back down again. They'll try again and flip over. We've seen about ten like this and are beginning to wonder if there's something wrong with them. They're all coming from a a hole in our landlord's shed. Has anyone ever seen bees like this? Is it normal?Why are all of our bumble bees enormous and unable to fly?
Your question is quite interesting.


We have lots of Bumblebees locally, especially this year, but I have never observed this behavior.


Bee flies also look a lot like Bumblebees. The Bee flies will hover higher in the air, whereas Bumblebees go flower to flower and stay close to the ground.


My best advice is to; collect one or more of the bees, then contact your state's conservation dept. In all 50 states, care is taken to observe, number and observe habits of destructive and useful insects.


Bumblebees are the major pollinators after honeybees.


They may suggest you contact a local beekeeper (Apiarist). The local beekeepers will be very knowledgeable with general information.Why are all of our bumble bees enormous and unable to fly?
I would check the shed. If they look drunk then chances are they probably are. ;)
This is normal because the bee's dont always like to fly. I've seen many bee's like this.
they might be Carpenter Bees





Bumblebees make their nest in the ground.


Capenter bees make holes in wood so they might be in the shed.
Maybe they're inbred... (Lol, I have no idea.)
I would bet they were toward the end of thier life cycle. Beetles do the same when they are neer thier end. That is when you see more toads around getting thier fare share.