A simple-to-make, decorative post provides welcome nesting holes for solitary nectar gatherers in search of a sanctuary among the blooms
UNLIKE HONEYBEES, SOLITARY bees do not live in hives. A lone bee makes a nest in gaps in dry soil or the cavities in pieces of old wood. A bee hotel mimics these conditions, providing a place where bees can line the holes, or ‘rooms’, with mud or leaves, and lay their eggs.
The hotel should be positioned close to bee-friendly plants, such as lavender, sedums, Verbena bonariensis and cornflowers. Choosing a level, south-facing spot, with some protection from rain showers, is ideal.
It is important to keep the post maintained. This is best done in the winter months, when the holes should be thoroughly cleaned with warm water and a small bottle brush, or a pipe cleaner for the smaller holes.
MAKING THE BEE POST HOTEL
Step 1: A design is firstly drawn on paper, then transferred onto the top half of the post. Shapes chosen should be simple and large enough, so that, when the holes are drilled, the design will be clear, but the holes evenly spaced.
MATERIALS
• Design worked out on paper
• Wooden post
• Pencil
• Drill
• Various drill bits, no larger than 12mm
• Sandpaper
• Reclaimed slate
• Chisel
• Short length of straight wood
• File
• Hammer and nail
• String
• Scissors
• 4 bricks
• Spirit level
Step 2: Following the design, holes of varying sizes are drilled. The largest holes should be no more that ½in (12mm) wide. Any rough edges or splinters should be sanded away.
Step 3: A reclaimed slate, with existing fixing holes, is chosen. With a hole top and centre, an isosceles triangle is marked and scored with a
