Why Do Commercial Bee Hotels Suck?

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Commercial bee hotels can be problematic for several reasons:

Many mass-produced bee hotels are designed with too many holes close together, attracting too many bees into a small space. This can lead to:

• Higher parasite loads (e.g., mites and fungi) spreading between bees.
• Increased competition among solitary bees for nesting sites.

• Some have plastic or metal tubes, which trap moisture and encourage mold growth.
• Many use splintered bamboo or drilled holes with rough edges, which can injure bees or make it difficult for them to seal their nests.

• Many commercial bee hotels lack diversity in hole diameters, making them unsuitable for native bee species.
• They are often too shallow, leading to male-biased populations, as females need deeper tunnels to develop.

• Without cleaning or replacing used materials, bee hotels can become breeding grounds for parasites (like wasps) and mold.
• Many commercial products aren’t designed to be cleaned or have fixed tubes, making it difficult to remove old nests.

• Many people hang them in shady, damp areas, which attracts pests but not bees.
• Ideally, bee hotels should be in a sunny, sheltered spot, but most commercial ones don’t provide placement guidance.

Instead of buying a commercial bee hotel:
✅ Make your own with untreated wood and paper/cardboard tubes.
✅ Provide natural nesting sites (e.g., dead wood, hollow stems, or bare ground for burrowing species).
✅ Ensure proper maintenance by replacing tubes and cleaning annually.

Would you like a guide on making a bee-friendly alternative?