How Do I Make a Bee Hotel Tutorial

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 Many native bees are much smaller than invasive European honeybees. Masked bees (Hylaeus) prefer 3-5mm holes, while -7mm are used by leaf-cutter bees (Megachile). Using drill bits bigger than 10mm is useless for native bees and may only attract spiders, roaches, or even lizards. Drill blind holes at least 100mm-150mm deep, and angle upwards so water doesn't collect at the bottom of the shaft. 

Locally sourced pithy stems, reeds and bamboo (that aren't treated with chemicals) are great for cavity nesting bees. Cut close to the nodes so one end is closed off and ensure the diameter of the hollows is <10mm, tiny holes are liked by reed bees (Exoneura).

Bee hotels work best when simulating the natural environment such as holes from wood boring grubs in Australia's gumtrees, banksias and wattles. Hardwood lasts longer, and produces smoother shafts when drilled, which native bees prefer.

Give your bee hotel a roof. Place bee hotels at about eye level (1-2m high) and in an open area where there are flowering plants offering loads of nectar/pollen. Position the hotel to receive morning sun to stimulate foraging. Avoid shady areas.

Did you know that around 70% of Australia’s native bees nest in the ground. Solitary bees, like blue-banded bees (Amegilla) love nesting in crumbly, sedimentary soils. Thus, you should consider making alternative bee hotels to suit the ground nesters too, and make multiple as some grounding nesting. 

A good hotel has restaurants close by. Plant native wildflowers from the families, Myrtaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Proteaceae. Some exotics like Salvia and Lavender are also good. Refer to the Wheen Bee foundation "Powerful Pollinator Planting” guides which are specific to where you live. Also limit pesticide/herbicide use on open flowers.

Commercially made bee hotels are often inferior to homemade hotels because they are usually imported. They are fumigated at border biosecurity, are often built with the wrong cavity dimensions (too wide and/or too shallow), and use treated woods. Opt for Australian made hotels by knowledgeable distributers or have a go at making your own.

Treated woods have toxic chemicals like copper, chromium and arsenic solution forced into the wood to protect it from insects and microbes. Store bought bamboo also is often treated, so be careful when buying wooden stems too. Also avoid chemicals such as varnish and some paints.

Using plastic tubes for hollows isn't ideal because they collect too much condensation. Metal casing also isn't optimal because the hotel can get too hot in the sun. Better alternatives include bamboo, pithy stems and paper straws.

Native bees need sunlight to warm up in the morning. in Australia, the southern side of objects is always shaded. So, avoid placing hotels on the south side buildings, or habitats and make sure to direct the bee hotel towards the north-east, NOT south.

Native bee hotels need to be cleaned at the end of winter before the warmer weather. With a pipe cleaner remove debris, dead cells, and spider webs. Old nests are signified by a small exit hole on a once capped hole. Using paper straws inside the holes can make refurbishing your hotels easier. It's possible to replace the straws as each becomes capped and place these nests in an emergence box.

• Best plants based on your postcode – ‘Wheen Bee Powerful Pollinators’ planting guide: wheenbeefoundation.org.au/our-work/projects/powerful-pollinators/
• ‘Creating a Haven for Native Bees’ – Book by Kit Prendergast
• Nature Blocks – build back nature with free Conservation Volunteers Aus (app) - https://mynatureblock.org.au/
• Aussie Bee – aussiebee.com.au/bee-hotel-aussie- bee-guide.html