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Calling All Bee Heroes: Easy Weekend Projects to Help Our Bees!
Icelandic Sheepdog in flower meadow, © Zoonar.com/Monika Scheurer
Looking for some fun weekend activities with your kids? We’ve got simple tips on how you can make a big difference for bees with just a few small steps.
Parents, grab your tools and get creative! Whether it’s building a bee house or brainstorming ways to beautify your garden or balcony with bee-friendly plants, these projects are not only enjoyable but also rewarding in the long run. Watch your efforts bloom as you create a safe haven for our buzzing friends.
Have fun, and let’s all be bee heroes together!
Easy DIY Bee Nesting Aid
Creating a simple nesting aid for solitary wild bees, such as mason bees, is quick and easy with just a few materials and steps.
Materials Needed
- 1 can (e.g., a small, standard tin; 8.5 cm high, 8.5 cm in diameter)
- Approximately 45 bamboo tubes (6-8 cm long)
- Cotton wool to plug one end of each tube
- Wooden skewer
- Jute string
- Colorful tape
- Scissors
- Hammer and nails
Preparation
Start by using a hammer and nail to make a hole in the bottom of the can. Thread the jute string through this hole to create a hanger for your bee house. Next, use the wooden skewer to hollow out the bamboo tubes, giving the bees plenty of space to nest.
Stuff the bottom of the can with cotton wool to close off one end of the bamboo tubes. This will make it easier for the bees to settle in. Alternatively, you can fill the bottom of the can with plaster to securely hold the tubes in place once it dries.
Tip: If the edge of the can is sharp, flatten it with a hammer to prevent cuts—this should be done by an adult. You can also use a safety can opener that leaves a smooth edge.
Decorate Your Bee House
Wrap the outside of the can with colorful tape (e.g., rainbow colors). Insert as many hollow bamboo tubes into the can as needed to ensure they fit snugly and won’t fall out.
Hang the finished bee house in a sunny, accessible spot, ideally sheltered from wind and rain. To prevent the can from swinging, secure it to a wooden beam or wall so that the bottom of the can rests against it.
Your wild bee habitat is now ready, and the new inhabitants can move in.
Who Will Live in Your Bee House?
Possible residents of this bee house include solitary wild bees like the Red Mason Bee, the Horned Mason Bee, or Leafcutter Bees. The species that move in will depend on the diameter of the tubes and the available food sources in the area.
© picture alliance / blickwinkel/F. Hecker; picture alliance / Shotshop | Karen Kaspar
Of course, you can also go wild and build an entire hotel complex or simply put some empty snail shells in a flower pot for wild bees to nest in.
Create a Wild Corner in Your Garden
Transform part of your garden into a “wild corner” with plants like nettles, dandelions, daisies, and goutweed. This natural habitat benefits bees more than manicured spaces with evergreen shrubs and ornamental plants that offer no food.
© chromorange
Choose Bee-Friendly Plants
Opt for plants with open, non-double flowers where nectar and pollen are accessible. Avoid highly cultivated varieties that often provide little nourishment for bees.
© picture alliance / Cornelia Pithart/Shotshop
Buy Organic and Locally Grown Plants
Ensure your plants are free from pesticides by choosing organic options and those grown locally. Many ornamental plants are heavily treated with pesticides that can harm bees.
© picture alliance / botanikfoto | Heinz Hauser
Provide Seasonal Blooms
Plant a variety of flowers that bloom throughout the year to supply bees with a continuous source of nectar and pollen from early spring to late autumn. A diverse range of plants supports different bee species.
© picture alliance / prisma | Fürmann Hans
Maintain a Natural Lawn
Replace a perfectly manicured lawn with a wildflower meadow. Mix wildflowers, herbs, and grasses to create a vibrant habitat that attracts bees and other insects.
© picture alliance / CHROMORANGE | Christian Ohde
Transform Your Balcony into a Bee Haven
Use bee-friendly plants and herbs like wild grape, ivy, winter heath, sage, mint, chives, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram, oregano, and thyme to make your balcony more inviting for bees.
© picture alliance / Zoonar | ArTo
Provide a Water Source
Bees need water, especially on hot days. Set up a shallow bee waterer in your garden or on your balcony with a safe entry using stones, bark, or twigs to prevent drowning.
© picture alliance / ZUMAPRESS.com | Andre M. Chang
Avoid Pesticides
Reduce pesticide use in your garden. Opt for natural weed control methods like hoeing or brushing. Pesticides pose a significant threat to bees and biodiversity.
© picture alliance / D. Kerlekin/Snowfield Photograph