Bee homes, houses or hotels are places used by solitary bees to provide cover/shelter and a place to raise young bees.
Solitary bees are different from Bumble bees as they do not for colonies or produce honey. Species of solitary bees include Mason Bees.
Solitary bees are different from Bumble bees as they do not for colonies or produce honey. Species of solitary bees include Mason Bees.
The usually nest reeds or hollow wood, however a bee hotel can also be a perfect nest site for a solitary bee, and this is how to make one.
With drill bits of various sizes (5/16th of an inch works best for Mason bees) simply take some scrap lumber and drill holes 3 to 5 inches deep but not all the way through the wood block. For example, get a 4 inch by 4 inch piece of wood and drill holes that are 3 and 1/2 inches deep.
You can cover the holes with chicken wire to help keep birds away from the bee house.
Securely place the bee house on the south side of buildings, fence posts, or trees.
Scatter some of the houses throughout your community. You may find an excellent location to trap some bees and then move them to your location.
DO NOT move bee houses after they are in place until at least November.
DO NOT spray insecticides around or near the bee home.
And DO NOT use treated wood.
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