How to Create a Bee Hotel in your backyard

A Guide to Attracting and Supporting Pollinators

One of the animal kingdom’s most diligent workers is the bee, buzzing from flower to flower and spreading the joy of pollination. With the decline in bee populations, it’s more important than ever to provide these little helpers with safe and comfortable homes. That’s where a bee hotel comes in! A bee hotel is a simple structure that offers a place for solitary bee species to nest and lay their eggs. And the best part? You can build one right in your own backyard.

In Australia, some of the solitary bee species that can use a bee hotel include mason bees, leafcutter bees, and resin bees.

With this guide, you’ll learn how to create a bee hotel that will attract and support pollinators in your area. So grab your tools, and let’s get started!

1. Gather materials: Time to hit the hardware store! You will need materials such as bamboo canes, sticks, hollow reeds, or drilled blocks of wood. Think of variety when choosing sizes and shapes.
2. Please choose a location: Pick a sunny and protected spot in your yard because, let’s face it, bees like to tan too! But make sure it’s still easily accessible to the buzzing guests; you don’t want them getting lost on their way to the hotel. Make sure it will stay cool in the summer and remember to give your bees plenty of food and water.
3. Make sure you have a variety of plants: If you want to attract many bees, you will need to ensure you have a garden full of bee-friendly plants. If you don’t supply the nectar and pollen, the bees will likely keep moving on to the next hotel. In Australia, some of the plants that attract bees include native eucalyptus trees, lavender, rosemary, and banksias.
4. Build the structure: Use a wooden box or a wall-mounted board as the base of your bee hotel. Securely attach the bamboo canes, sticks, hollow reeds, or drilled blocks of wood to the bottom.
5. Install a roof: Place a top over the bee hotel to protect it from the elements. Try to use natural materials. Just make sure it’s watertight, or you’ll have a room full of drowned bees.
6. Fill the holes: Fill the hollow reeds, bamboo canes, or drilled blocks of wood with appropriate materials such as dried leaves, grass, moss, or straw.
7. Wait for residents: Now that your bee hotel is complete, sit back, grab a drink, and wait for the bees to discover it and start nesting. Be patient, as good things come to those who wait, as this could take several weeks or months.
8. Maintenance: Check the bee hotel regularly and remove any dead bees or debris. Also, replace any materials that have become too compact or damp. It’s essential to keep the hotel in tip-top shape; after all, you don’t want any negative reviews on TripAdvisor.

By creating a bee hotel, you’ll be supporting local pollinators and helping to protect them from habitat loss. Plus, you’ll have a whole bunch of new friends buzzing around your yard. It’s a win-win!