Who uses a bee house?
A bee house gives some solitary bees somewhere to raise their young. A mason bee or leafcutter bee can use an existing tunnel. Most native bees nest elsewhere, often in the ground. Before buying or building a house, decide where you will put it and how you will care for occupied tubes.
What makes a good bee house?
Female mason bees use mud to separate the cells in a nesting tunnel. Leafcutter bees use pieces of leaves. A mud or leaf cap at the opening can be your first clue that a female has finished provisioning the nest.
Choose a small house with removable tunnels and a roof that keeps the nesting material dry. Mount it firmly where it can catch morning sun. The entrance should stay clear of wet foliage.
A bee house needs care. Reusing old nesting material for years can allow parasites or disease to build up. The Penn State guide to mason bee nests explains ways to replace or clean the material while protecting the bees inside.
How Can You Make a Difference?
Option 1: Purchase on Amazon here
Option 2: Build Your Bee House
Choose a sturdy frame that sheds rain and holds tubes securely. Start with a small unit so you can check each tunnel. If your priority is preserving natural nesting places, leaving suitable plant stems and undisturbed ground also helps.
Materials:
- A sturdy untreated wood frame with an overhanging roof.
- Removable nesting tubes or a grooved tray system you can open and clean after emergence.
- A saw.
- Sandpaper.
- A drill with different-sized bits.
- Hardware to mount the house to a fixed support.
Steps:
- Prepare Your Wooden Block: Cut your wooden block to your desired size (usually about 6-8 inches square) and sand the edges for a smooth finish.
- Drill Holes: Prepare holes for removable paper liners, or use ready-made nesting tubes in the frame. Smooth the entrances and close the rear of each tunnel.
- Clean and Assemble: Ensure the holes are clean, without any rough edges, and remove any sawdust or debris.
- Hang Your Bee House: Fasten the unit to a rigid fence or post where it receives morning sun. Check that the front stays dry after rain.
- Check nearby resources. Look for open flowers and, for mason bees, a nearby source of damp soil for mud.
- Regular Maintenance: Leave capped nests intact until the bees have emerged. Plan to rotate in fresh tubes and follow local guidance for emergence and cleaning. Removing sealed tubes in fall can destroy the developing bees inside.
Spread the Word:
A useful classroom activity is to sketch the front of the house and number the tunnels on paper. Each week, record which openings have a cap. Observe from the side and leave every sealed tube in place.
Support Local Bee Initiatives:
Keep nectar and pollen nearby through the season. Our pollinator planting guide can help you find a locally native plant suited to your space.
Ground-nesting species need different habitat. A patch of sunny, undisturbed soil can support bees that will never use a nesting tube. The University of Minnesota nesting guide covers both options.