The BUzz about Bees
Looking to Transform your Garden into a Bee-luxe Retreat?
Creating a five-star "Bee & Bee" for solitary bees and other insects is easier than you think—and it’s all about the right amenities.
Solitary bees, like red mason bees in spring and leaf-cutter bees in summer, are particularly picky when it comes to their accommodations.
They love bug hotels that that offer snug, sealed “rooms” between 2–10mm in diameter. These cozy cavities are ideal for laying eggs and raising the next generation of pollinators.
The key to attracting buzzing tenants is location, location, location! South-facing homes are prime real estate, offering plenty of sun and shelter from wind.
Vegetation creeping over or shading the bug homes? That’s a definite no-go for these discerning guests.
Construction Is Key
Sturdy construction is also a must—no one wants a wobbly stay during gusty weather. Add some nearby forage, and you’ve got a bee paradise. Red mason bees love a mud bar for sealing their egg chambers, while leaf-cutter bees are partial to roses, which provide the perfect “leafy linens” for their nests.
Essential Management
But the work doesn’t end once the bees have checked in. Smaller, dispersed bug homes are less likely to attract predators or disease, and they give you the chance to observe which layouts are most popular.
As the season winds down, you can provide five-star winter storage by removing the hotels in October and keeping them cool and dry in storage until the warm weather returns.
Come spring, the emerging bees will buzz their way back into your garden to enjoy the blooms and fresh accommodations you’ve prepared.