The Beecone
BA Practice Based Course
2023
semester
A wild bee hotel is a structure that provides nesting sites for solitary bees. It typically consists of a wooden frame with drilled holes or tubes of various sizes. The size and diameter of the holes can vary to accommodate different species of solitary bees.
Placed in a sunny location, it attracts solitary bees that lay their eggs in the holes, supporting their populations and promoting pollination. Maintenance is minimal, as bees take care of their own nests. By installing a wild bee hotel, individuals can contribute to bee conservation and biodiversity in their area.
In addition to nesting cavities, some wild bee hotels may also offer other features to enhance their attractiveness like pine cones.
In the case of the Beecone the tubes are arranged in a circular manner, allowing solitary bees to acces from every side. The pine cone layer protects and stabilizes the nesting tubes and provides additional nooks and crannies for bees to use as nesting sites.