Setting up and Caring for your Bee Hotel
Bee hotels provide Solitary bees with a safe place to lay their eggs and nest. Different Solitary bee species will occupy different sized holes depending on the size of the bee and their preference of nest. The bees will be most active in spring and summer as that is when they are mating and building their nests for the winter months. It should take up to two weeks for the first bee tenant to move in. The rest of the bees will follow shortly after.
Please follow these guidelines on where to place your hotel. It is important that all of the hotels have similar conditions where possible.
Keep in mind that solitary bees are extremely unlikely to sting or show aggression. There is no danger of having the hotel in close proximity to you. The bee hotels will not attract or house any Honey Bees!
ALL HOTELS MUST BE SET UP ON SEPTEMBER 1ST 2021.
It is advisable to decide on the location of the hotel before this date.
The entrances of the bee hotel must be facing South (if possible). The bees enjoy morning sun but afternoon sun should be avoided.
The bee hotel has to be hung from the hook on the back. Make sure it is stable so that is will not move in the wind or be easily knocked over.
The bee hotel must be in the shade to avoid overheating.
Place the bee hotel at eye level and ensure that the entrance holes are not obstructed by vegetation.
Place the bee hotel in a sheltered, dry area (under a roof). The hotel must not get wet.
The bee hotel must be easily accessible and visible to you for weekly observations.