Bee Hotels: What they are and why they matter

At Beesbridge, we are passionate about supporting all pollinators - not just honeybees! While honeybees live in large colonies, most bee species are actually solitary, meaning they don’t form hives. That’s where bee hotels come in!

In this guide, we’ll explain what bee hotels are, why they’re important, and how you can help these incredible pollinators thrive by opening a bee hotel (you can buy it or make your own).

What is a bee hotel?

A bee hotel (also called a bee house or insect hotel is a man-made structure designed

to provide nesting sites for solitary bees, which make up about 90% of all bee species!

Unlike honeybees, solitary bees don’t live in colonies - each female builds her own nest in small cavities like hollow stems, wood holes, or even cracks in walls.

Bee hotels mimic these natural nesting spots, offering safe spaces for solitary bees to lay

their eggs and raise their young.

Why are bee hotels important?

1. Habitat Loss Is a Major Threat

Many wild bees struggle to find natural nesting sites due to:

• Urbanization (fewer dead trees and hollow stems)

• Intensive farming (removal of hedgerows and wild plants)

• Tidy gardens (clearing away natural debris where bees nest)

Bee hotels help compensate for this loss by providing alternative nesting spaces.

2. Solitary Bees Are Super-Pollinators!

• They’re more efficient than honeybees at pollinating certain plants.

• They don’t produce honey, so they focus entirely on gathering pollen.

• Many are non-aggressive (most solitary bees can’t even sting!).

By supporting them, we boost biodiversity and food production.

3. They’re Easy to Help

Unlike beekeeping (which requires significant effort), installing a bee hotel is a simple, low-maintenance way to support pollinators.

What are bee hotels made of?

A good bee hotel contains natural or recycled materials that mimic bees’ preferred nesting spots. Common materials include:

✔ Bamboo tubes (hollow, cut at an angle to prevent waterlogging)

✔ Drilled wood blocks (holes 2-10 mm in diameter, at least 10 cm deep)

✔ Reed or straw bundles (tightly packed for stability)

✔ Clay or mud bricks (for mason bees)

✔ Pine cones bark (for added shelter)

Avoid plastic or glass tubes - they can trap moisture and harm bees.

Which bees use bee hotels?

Different species prefer different nesting materials. Common guests include:

• Mason Bees (Osmia spp.) – Use mud to seal nest chambers.

• Leafcutter Bees (Megachile spp.) – Line nests with cut leaves.

• Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa spp.) – Prefer larger wooden tunnels.

Honeybees and bumblebees won’t use bee hotels - they need different habitats!

How to set up a bee hotel (the right way)

1. Location Matters

• Place it south or southeast - facing for morning sun.

• Mount it at least 1 m off the ground (safe from predators).

• Ensure it’s protected from heavy rain and wind.

2. Maintenance Tips

• Clean or replace tubes every 2 years to prevent parasites.

• Avoid moving it once bees start nesting.

• Provide nearby flowers (bees need pollen and nectar sources).

3. What NOT to Do

❌ Don’t use treated wood (chemicals can harm bees).

❌ Don’t place it near bird feeders (predation risk).

❌ Don’t expect instant occupancy - it may take a season for bees to move in!

Beyond bee hotels: How else can you help?

✅ Leave some bare ground (70% of solitary bees nest in soil!).

✅ Plant native flowers (especially early/late bloomers).

✅ Avoid pesticides - even organic ones can harm bees.

Small spaces can make a BIG difference for bees!