Homes for solitary bees may already exist in your garden. Start with a slow walk past a patch of open soil, last year’s flower stems and an old fence post. Where could a bee raise young without the spot being dug up, mowed or cleared?
Meet the solitary bees in your garden
A female solitary bee prepares her own nest and gathers food for each young bee. Several females can use the same garden bed. However, each may have her own entrance. Watch from the edge of the path to see whether a bee returns to the same small hole.
Look for natural homes for solitary bees
First, check the soil. Mining bees dig underground. If you see bees coming and going from small holes, leave that patch uncovered. Choose a different place to dig, till or spread mulch. A small marker can help the next gardener remember why you set the spot aside.
Next, look at the stems. Hollow or soft-centered stems offer space for some cavity-nesting bees. Leave a few standing through winter and the following growing season. An old flower stalk can shelter a developing bee long after the flowers have gone.
How to make room for solitary bees
If you have mason bees, watch for trips to a patch of damp soil. Some females gather mud to divide their nest cells. Leafcutter bees may carry cut pieces of leaf instead. Keep used stems and their caps intact so the next generation has a chance to emerge.
You can also install a small bee house. Choose a shelter you can check and keep dry, with nesting material you can replace after the bees emerge. Our bee house care guide explains how to keep a record of occupied tubes.
What to check next season
Return to the same spot when flowers begin to open. Write down which plants are blooming, which nest entrances are active and where a bee lands. Compare your notes with the previous spring before you change the site. For more ways to protect existing nests, see the Xerces Society guide to nesting and overwintering habitat.