this post was submitted on 27 Sep 2023
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[–] [email protected] 41 points 11 months ago (4 children)

We have a bee hotel and it's so damn cute seeing these little solitary bees filling up the holes.

We probably have 20-30 nests.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Ooh I've been debating getting one!

What species are they?

[–] [email protected] 9 points 11 months ago (1 children)

If you have a drill, they're stupid easy to make. Read about what size holes the bees in your area like. And leave a smooth edge on the entry! They won't use it if they sense a risk to their wings.

Might as well roll your own, not like you can reuse them after they nest. Mites and such are an issue.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 11 months ago

You can reuse them, but you have to carefully clean the nesting holes. I have professionally made bee houses that I use. The wooden blocks that hold the nesting holes can be removed, opened, and sanitized. This also allows you to harvest cocoons to keep safe from predators/weather for the next year.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 11 months ago

Yay! Me too! I had so many different species visit my yard this year. Like 3 different species of big 'bumble bees'. And so many of the other kind. I like the iridescent green one!! :-D

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

OPs post reminded me to get a new one built!

Whereabouts do you live and what sizes of holes are you drilling?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I have a little butterfly home, but it got populated by yellow jackets and now I don’t know what to do.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Huh. I thought yellow jackets nest underground.