MAKING AND INSTALLING ARTIFICIAL NESTING STRUCTURES IN YOUR POLLINATOR GARDEN CAN BE
SIMPLE, CHEAP, AND FUN!
WHY YOU SHOULD INSTALL ARTIFICIAL NESTING STRUCTURE
Bee hotel in Place des Jardins, France
1. Additional Habitat: Using artificial nesting elements in your pollinator garden will give an alternative habitat for your visitors and added shelter for additional pollinators!
2. They are Versatile: These structures do well in smaller gardens where natural site nesting may not be available, as a complement to existing natural areas in larger gardens and even as an important part of the infrastructure in large commercial farms!
HOW TO CREATE ARTIFICIAL NESTS FOR:
BEES
The two types of nesting bees, underground and aboveground, have vastly different needs
Underground Nesters: While the specific needs of underground nesting bees are not well understood, it is best to conserve natural areas. Click here for more ideas on how to create a desirable natural area to meet their needs in your garden!
Aboveground Nesters: Artificial structures are great for these types of nesters! When deciding on what type of structure to create, start by observing what species of bee you typically see visiting your garden. Remember, the more diverse your habitat selection the more varied your pollinator population will be!
Types of Artificial Nests
General Information: Bee blocks and stump blocks are the more popular choices amongst avid pollinator gardeners, as they are attractive, require minimal assembly, and they can also be used over and over again if designed and used properly. Use the same guide for both. A stump block is the same as a bee block it simply uses a tree stump rather than a prepared piece of lumber.
Design Tips:
1. Always use preservative free lumber for a bee block
2. Drill nesting holes in varying but appropriate sizes and depths
3. Ensure holes are only open on one end, use a backing board if holes are accidentally drilled all the way through
4. Make sure the tunnels are as smooth as possible, using sharper drill bits will help keep holes smooth
5. Attaching a rood will provide additional shelter for your nesting bees
6. Attaching it to a permanent structure, will help for stability
7. Place your structure in a bright but protected location. Direct sunshine in the morning will provide bees with warm temperatures so they can prepare for flight. Direct sunlight later in the day, however, can be detrimental to the brood cells.
Building Specifics:
1. On one side of a 4 x 4 piece of lumber, drill nesting holes(between 3/32 and 3/8 inch in diameter)
2. Holes 1/4 inch or less in diameter should be 3-5 inches long
3. Holes larger than 1/4 inch in diameter should be 5-6 inches long
4. To control pests and diseases you can insert paper straws made from rolled wax or parchment paper inside each hole. These can then be removed at the end of each season and stored in a cool dry place and then placed outside the following spring near the structure where you have inserted new straws in the holes for the coming spring.
5. Once the paper straws have been removed blocks can be also sanitized-with bleach or changed out every two to three growing seasons.
Xerces.org provides a great PDF here for more details
General Information: Stem bundles are the most low maintenance, easiest, and cheapest structures to make. They are the most “natural” artificial structures you will find in a pollinator garden. Stem bundles can be created from stems or plants like bamboo or created from pithy woody plants where the inner, softer core can be pushed or drilled out.
Design Tips:
1. Use bamboo canes, Festuca stems, pithy or woody stems, elderberry stems and some types of Sumacs will also work.
2. Cut the stems and align into a bundle.
3. Tie with twine, wire etc
4. If your stems have two holes you will need to plug one end with some inert plant material, clay, or other organic matter
5. An alternative to plugging the ends of the stems is inserting the stems into some kind of structure like a pot, coffee can, oatmeal can, PVC piping, etc.
– Affix to a structure or hang from a tree. These can often be made very cheaply or even for free by using materials in and around your garden and kitchen. They should be disposed of routinely to stop the spread of disease as they do not utilize paper straws like the bee block.
EXAMPLES
Stump Block with Roof
Stem Bundles
BUTTERFLIES
Unlike for bees, the artificial elements in a butterfly garden are designed more for the adult population. They are less about providing nesting structures for eggs and juveniles and more about basking, puddling and providing water for winged adults.
Basking: Butterflies enjoy basking to warm their bodies and wings for flying. With the installation of natural rocks, landscaping rocks, building/keeping cement paths, or placing stepping stones in warm sunny area, you can help encourage and aid this behavior!
Puddling: Male butterflies enjoy another interesting behavior called “puddling.” The butterflies will feed off a substrate that fills a nutritional need that nectar alone does not fill. Naturally, this would occur at mud puddles, sandy areas or even on piles of dung.
Creating an Artificial Puddling Site:
Step 1: Gather soil, sand, and a small water bowl or terracotta pot/pie plate.
Step 2: Dig a small hole and submerge the items in the ground to simulate a “ground” puddle. For the “standing” method, place the aforementioned items in a birdbath instead.
Step 3: Fill the container with sand and enough water to make it moist, you can then add soil from the garden, or even periodically a piece of overripe fruit. You can also add salt, manure, and rain/spring water to enhance the artificial puddling site.
Step 4: See here and here for some DIY artificial butterfly puddles!
Step 5: Enjoy watching the butterflies in your pollinator garden
EXAMPLES
Adult butterfly basking in the sun
Lime Butterfly Mud Puddling