How to add a bee hotel to your garden

Adding a bee hotel in your garden to create some shelter for bees is a great way to attract bees into your garden and combined with flowering plants forms an enhanced habitat for bees.

You can build your own bee hotel or purchase a pre-made bee hotel 

To create a bee hotel in your garden, you will need to follow these steps:

• Choose a location in your garden that gets plenty of sun and is protected from the wind.
• Gather materials to use as nesting tubes for the bees. You can use straws, bamboo, or hollow stems from plants like milkweed or goldenrod.
• Cut the tubes to size and group them together in a bundle.
• Find a container to hold the tubes, such as a wooden box or a plastic container with holes drilled in it.
• Place the tubes in the container and position it in the chosen location in your garden.
• Make sure the tubes are firmly in place and that the container is stable.
• Leave the bee hotel alone and let the bees find it on their own.

Bees are important pollinators, so creating a bee hotel in your garden is a great way to help them and the environment.

When buying a bee hotel, there are a few things you should consider:

• Size: Make sure the bee hotel is the right size for the type of bees you want to attract. Some hotels are designed for solitary bees, while others are for bumblebees.
• Material: Choose a bee hotel made from natural materials, such as wood, straw, or bamboo. These materials are more attractive to bees and will last longer than plastic or synthetic materials.
• Durability: Look for a bee hotel that is well-constructed and able to withstand the elements. It should be able to withstand rain, wind, and extreme temperatures.
• Location: Consider where you will be placing the bee hotel in your garden. Make sure it is in a location that gets plenty of sun and is protected from the wind.
• Maintenance: Look for a bee hotel that is easy to maintain and clean. Some hotels have removable tubes or compartments that can be easily cleaned and replaced.
• Price: Determine your budget and look for a bee hotel that fits within it. Keep in mind that cheaper hotels may not be as durable or effective as more expensive ones.

Learn more about the GardenAdvice Bee projects with our young gardeners Click Here