Follow these steps to build your own nesting box to attract bees to your garden - or come along to select North Coast conservation events this summer and we'll help you build one (we'll even provide the materials, too!)
Bees are an important sign of a healthy ecology. Bee populations have been dwindling in recent years and building homes is just one way of encouraging them to stick around. Follow the steps below to build your very own example of insect real estate.
(Don't forget to ask for an adult's help before using tools or equipment!)
Recycled plastic board or corriboard (170mm square)
Block of wood (100mm long, 100mm wide and 50 mm thick)
10 sheets of paper (A4 paper cut to A5 size; rolls will be approx the length of a pen)
Sticky tape
Bamboo sticks (approx 10 100mm lengths - these can be bought pre-cut)
Drill bit and drill (5mm)
Screws or nails instead (4mm x 50mm)
Scissors
Step 1: Gather your materials
Cut the pieces of timber to the lengths shown, cutting two sections at an angle to form the slant of the roof.
Roisin McGinn
Cut the pieces of timber to the lengths shown, cutting two sections at an angle to form the slant of the roof.
Step 2: Fix the side panels to base panel
Place the side panel on top of the base panel and drill 2 holes 10mm from the bottom. Do the same for the second panel. Hammer nails into pre-drilled holes.
Roisin McGinn
Place the side panel on top of the base panel and drill 2 holes 10mm from the bottom. Do the same for the second panel. Hammer nails into pre-drilled holes.
Step 3: Fix sides and base to back panel
Line up the assembled pieces to around 50mm from the bottom of the back panel. Drill holes and fix screws.
Roisin McGinn
Line up the assembled pieces to around 50mm from the bottom of the back panel. Drill holes and fix screws.
Step 4: Time for a roof
Attach the small wooden block (mentioned in the instructions) inside the box completing a square shape for the nesting materials to sit. Hammer nails into pre-drilled holes in recycled plastic roof.
Roisin McGinn
Attach the small wooden block (mentioned in the instructions) inside the box completing a square shape for the nesting materials to sit. Hammer nails into pre-drilled holes in recycled plastic roof.
Step 5: Your bee box is taking shape
Check all your edges line up and everything is secured well. Drill holes in the backing board that you can use to drill the bee box into a wall in your garden.
Roisin McGinn
Check all your edges line up and everything is secured well. Drill holes in the backing board that you can use to drill the bee box into a wall in your garden.
Step 6: Furnishing your bee box
Since solitary bees - like the ones you will be attracting - like to burrow you'll have to fill the box with tubes and cylinder shapes.
Roisin McGinn
Since solitary bees - like the ones you will be attracting - like to burrow you'll have to fill the box with tubes and cylinder shapes.
Step 7: Fill with circles, tubes and cylinders
Add a wooden block the same width as the bee box (with pre-drilled holes of various sizes.) Roll paper around a pencil as tight as possible and secure with a piece of sticky tape. Snip off excess with scissors.
Roisin McGinn
Add a wooden block the same width as the bee box (with pre-drilled holes of various sizes.) Roll paper around a pencil as tight as possible and secure with a piece of sticky tape. Snip off excess with scissors.
Step 8: Ta-dah! Your very own garden furniture for bees!
Slot your paper tubes and bamboo sticks into the rest of the space making sure there are no gaps.
Roisin McGinn
Slot your paper tubes and bamboo sticks into the rest of the space making sure there are no gaps.
