Bee N Bee Hotels
Air Bee & Bee Project
Alison Howlett runs our latest Environmental Project handmade Bee Hotels. “Air Bee N Bee” Good DIY project for club members wanting to help encourage pollinating bees into our gardens.
The RC of West Lakes recently took to hammers, drills and nails to build “Air Bee N Bees”, that is Bee Hotels. The hotel building assignment was held at the home of past presidents Ros and Andrew, followed by a fun BBQ lunch and fellowship.
It was a great team building project to help encourage pollinating bees into our gardens which are vital to the production of fruit and vegetables.
And what are Bee Hotels? They are artificial shelters to solitary bees, who don’t live in hives like honeybees, but in tunnels or hollow stems.
A little on bees: Solitary bees are vital pollinators for many plants, but they face threats from habitat loss, pesticides, and parasites. Bee hotels attract different types of bees, each with their own nesting preferences and behaviours.
Providing food and water in the garden attracts native bees to visit. By making them a hotel, they may be encouraged to stay!
There are more than 1500 species of native bees in Australia, and they play an important environmental role pollinating plants.
Positioning the Bee Hotel
The native bee hotel should face between the north and east, in a sunny to semi-shaded position that is sheltered, between 1 and 2 metres off the ground., Make sure it won't get too hot in summer. And remember to provide lots of food and water for your bees.
If you feel this project would be something you would like to get involved in and you are not a club member, feel free to contact us on our home page.
