Teenager Adopts Bumblebee Which Sleeps Next To Her And Follows Her To Stores

Aug 25, 2021 by apost team

When people think of loyal pets that never leave your side, usually a dog, cat, or bird comes to mind. The “unusual” house pets are typically in the reptile family or you could expect to find someone who owns a tarantula. However, one girl from Coventry, England, discovered that even a bumblebee can make a loving companion. 

Lacey Shillinglaw, 13, says her new bumblebee friend "Betty" follows her everywhere after she first rescued it in early August 2021. Lacey was out walking her dog when she saw Betty struggling with a hurt wing in the middle of the road and moved her to a flower, but now the bee won’t leave her side no matter what the girl does.

Bumblebees are said to be very social creatures and their fuzzy bodies make them seem able to pet like our other furry friends. Depending on the insect’s comfort level, you can pet a bumblebee, and doing so can help warm up their bodies before they take flight. 

The teen said that Betty sleeps next to her on the bedside table, has followed her to stores and even joined in on a family outing to the bowling alley that included 14 other people. The entire time Lacey bowled, which was over two hours, Betty stayed on her person. 

At home, Lacey feeds Betty sugar water, honey, and strawberry jam, as well as the candy Haribo Tangfastics. Lacey’s mother, Laura said that the girl and bumblebee are completely smitten with one another and she doesn’t understand why. Keep reading to learn more about this fascinating story.

Lacey never expected Betty to stick around for so long. She said according to Daily Mail: “Betty is totally amazing - I'll remember this forever. I thought she would fly off on the first day but she just never did.”

The young girl added, “I'm so happy and I just love spending my time with her. She's so fluffy and I love our friendship.” It seems that Lacey loves Betty like any other pet and feels fortunate for her company.

The girl’s family has been accepting of their new houseguest despite the unusual nature of the situation. Lacey’s mom Laura said: “She absolutely loves her. It's completely lovely and also bonkers.” It is definitely a strange sight to see a bumblebee happily crawling all over someone.

Laura added, “Betty wanders all over her. including her face, and her glasses, and even in between her toes. Lacey's hair is down to her bum, and Betty climbs in it like some kind of jungle. She's on her 90 percent of the time during the day. It's so beautiful - just gorgeous.”

Another person might be frightened or grossed out by the bee, but not Lacey. “I can't believe Lacey isn't scared. Bumblebees sting, and like wasps, they can repeatedly sting you without being hurt or dying like honeybees do,” Laura said.

No one is quite sure why Betty chose to stay with Lacey, but it makes the girl happy nonetheless. Laura stated, “We have all the doors open a lot and she's just never gone - I haven't the foggiest why.” 

apost.com

What do you think of this strange pet? Would you ever get this close to a bumblebee? Let us know and feel free to send this on to your friends and family.