For folks across the country, September heralds the change of season. Hot summer days are replaced with pleasant temperatures and cooler evenings. Leaves are showing the first blush of fall color. Warm season crops such as peppers and tomatoes are still producing. And the bees foraging in the garden are making a final push to gather nectar and pollen before the weather turns cold. But with all the buzzing going on, are you noticing other types of bees?
While folks may recognize a honey bee, what about the other insects that seem to be on the plants collecting pollen. Do you know what they are? Folks, many of these insects are what as known as native bees (the common honey bee was originally imported from Europe). These bees were here before the introduction of honey bees. Another term use for native bees is solitary bees or even pollen bee.
These bees are just as important to pollination as honey bees. But what makes them stand apart from the honey bees (besides NOT producing honey) is their solitary lifestyle. What this means is that they are not a hive insect, living in the same hive or nest as others of their kinds. In other words, they live alone. Please note that there are a few exceptions where solitary bees may share a nest with others, but they do not assist the other bees in the same nest. Each bee is responsible for themselves.
These solitary or pollen bees seek out shelter. Some species prefer to nest in the ground, but the others search for a cavity in which to nest. Examples could be a hole left in a tree trunk left by a burrowing insect, a hollow plant stem such as a reed or bamboo. But if you don’t have that type of plant material in your area, you can actually create a home for the cavity bee. One common cavity bee is the Mason bee.
There are commercially produced bee ‘hotels’ available on the market. A classic shape is the tear-drop model with hollow reeds acting as the individual hotel rooms. This is model can be hung from a tree or from a building and is in the $15 – $22 price range. However, if you are willing to get your hands dirty, you can build your own bee hotels with found, reclaimed, repurposed, or recycled materials.
If you choose to create your own bee hotel, a simple route to go is to create a frame out of scrap lumber. The dimensions are up to you. But as you build the bee hotel, keep in mind where you are going to place it on your property. If you intend to hang it from a tree, go with a smaller design that will not bend or break the branch of the intended tree. Free-standing models are popular for larger creations. As you construct the hotel, use a variety of materials. A few old bricks lying around that have holes in them? Place those inside the wooden frame. Feel free to use hollow wooden dowels that you cut to size to fit inside the bee hotel with the hollow ends facing outward (for easy access by the bees).
In the photo below, materials found in nature are also incorporated into the hotel. This model has pine needles, pine cones, and some moss in addition to cut lengths of bamboo and brick. Bees can crawl amongst these items and pull in additional material to create their desired cavity.
The hotels are easy to construct with just a few simple tools: drill with bit (to drill holes into short lengths of wood), saw (to cut wood into lengths for the desired size), hammer and nails or drill and screws based on how you want to hold the lumber together. Feel free to cut lengths of bamboo or reed (the key is to select something hollow) or you can make the holes by drilling into pieces of wood. Use what you have on hand including some natural materials such as pine cones and pine needles.
Whether you cal them solitary bees, native bees, or cavity bees, they are great pollinators. Since they seek out cavities to create a nest, make a bee hotel yourself. By providing a bee hotel, you are encouraging solitary bees to nest on your property. Feel free to use materials you have on hand and incorporate some natural materials as well. (A simple hotel can be created in under an hour). More solitary bees in your garden can mean higher pollination which can lead to higher fruit and vegetable yields. Remember, these bees need a place to live as well.
Ria Halcomb says
While this is a dandy idea we are constantly fighting a battle with mud-daubers & this would put us under.
urbanoveralls says
I am so sorry that you have to deal with mud daubers… I can imagine how frustrated you must feel. We consider ourselves fortunate to have a variety of solitary bees and try to provide them with bee hotels.
quarteracrelifestyle says
Just love these!! Do you mind if I reblog?
urbanoveralls says
We love bee hotels. It is great to see the different styles and materials used. (And since we use a lot of reclaimed materials, our creations generally cost us nothing other than our labor). Please go ahead and reblog.
quarteracrelifestyle says
Thanks 🙂 They are just gorgeous.
urbanoveralls says
Thank you. And the best part…. they are occupied!
quarteracrelifestyle says
Very nice!!
urbanoveralls says
🙂
quarteracrelifestyle says
Reblogged this on quarteracrelifestyle and commented:
I used to notice alot of pictures of bee hotels before we got the hive then really didn’t give them another thought. Hives are expensive though and not something everyone can afford, desire or have room for but these are such beautiful, useful additions to a garden. Besides giving homes for bees they encourage them to live in the garden and we benefit from the pollination from the bees – a win/win situation!Take a look at these lovely photos of hotels made from reclaimed materials, just gorgeous and I think we will make some ourselves now 🙂
Robbie says
Thank you for sharing:-) I need to do this next summer. Love the use of other natural sources in the bee hotel! really neat:-)
urbanoveralls says
Bee hotels are easy to make. We like to use what we have on hand and natural materials make it easy. Have fun making one!
Norma says
Will it attract wasps ?
urbanoveralls says
We haven’t had any issues with this attracting wasps. Some wasp species build build the big, papery, oval nest in trees, some take up residence in the ground… but we haven’t had any that try to turn these bee hotels into a home.
Sue Dreamwalker says
What lovely hotels too they are… Last year we were lucky enough to have not one but two bees nests in our garden.. When I told people they were shocked saying oooh how are you going to get rid of them.. They really have no clue… My granddaughter of 3 was happy playing in our garden and they came back and forth busy in their work and dodged my washing on the line which was put in their flight path.. It was a joy to watch them..
Wonderful Post.. 🙂 Keep educating more of us to understand we need to look after our Bees. 🙂
urbanoveralls says
Yes… our native/solitary bees need some help as well as the honey bees. These solitary bee hotels are easy to make, plus you can also buy Mason bee hotels in stores or online. (We have done both). I am glad you enjoyed the post.
Brenda says
I have one and cannot get the bees to use it, any tips?
urbanoveralls says
It took about 6 months for the solitary bees to discover the ‘hotel’. Make you have it placed in a protected location (out of direct wind and sun). For example, we have hung the Mason bee hotel on the east side of the house in a cedar tree. The hotel is protected from the elements. But it make take time for them to discover it.
Joanne says
Hi, I was wondering if these bee hotels need to be cleaned at a certain time, or do you leave them alone?
urbanoveralls says
You leave them alone. The bees may bring in other material, such as pieces of leaves, dried grass, etc…
Laurie says
Will these attract carpenter bees? we have a problem with them tearing up everything wood.
urbanoveralls says
As you have noticed Carpenter bees are attracted to wood (hence their name). Typically, they nest in tunnels they have created in wood (such as decks, patio furniture, house siding, etc…). To reduce the likelihood of them taking up residence in ‘bee hotel’, construct it out of non-wood materials, such as brick.
lisa says
what season will bees move in?
what time of year is best to puy out my mason bee habitat?
urbanoveralls says
Bees will begin searching when the weather begins to warm in the spring. Then they will begin to lay eggs. As far as when to put a bee hotel, spring through late summer would be the best time.