How to Build a Bee Hotel

Did you know that of all the 275 bee varieties in the UK, there’s only one kind of honeybee and 27 varieties of bumble bee. The rest are solitary bees, who form a vital part of the pollination networks across the country, ensuring that crops, vegetables and fruits bloom for another year. And just like us humans, they sometimes need to help to get a little furry bee leg on the property ladder. The good news is that it’s easy to help them along by building a bee hotel.

Not actually used for a sweet mid-week get away, bee hotels are technically more of a bee condo that provide a space for solitary bees to nest in cavities. Solitary bees built their nests alone, finding hollow stems and beetle holes to lay their eggs in. A bee hotel provides them with a ready-made spot to visit when it’s time to settle down.

It’s important to keep your bee hotel in a sunny but sheltered location where it will be warm and kept out of the rain. If you notice that the ends of tubes are plugged with mud, leaves or resin you know you have some little guests fully checked in!

To build a bee hotel you’ll need: 

Hollow canes (such as bamboo or common reed, or dried hollow stems like sunflower stems, fennel or elder)

A plant pot

A few stones

Secateurs

1. Using the cane, measure from the bottom of the pot to one centimetre below the rim, and cut it to this length, ensuring that the opening is clean.

2. Continue to do this until there’s enough canes to fill the pot. Keep any short, leftover sections for later.

3. Fill the pot with the lengths until it is tightly packed and use any shorter lengths to fill any gaps, ensuring that the openings face outwards so the bees can get in.

4. Using the stones as a base, lay the pot on its side to keep rainwater off. Your hotel is now ready to accept guests!