How To Make A Bamboo Bee House Or Nest!

You can help the dwindling bee population on the United States with easy craft projects.  While it may seem a little scary to invite bees into your backyard, just remember that you are helping to increase a population of essential cross-pollinators.  And building a bamboo bee house or nest  is simple!

Here’s what you need to build your bamboo bee nest:

• One bamboo reed about ¼ inch in diameter
• Sharpened pruning saw
• Twine

To make your bamboo bee nest:

1. Cut the bamboo reed into 6 inch lengths (be very careful to not crush the open ends).
2. Bundle the cut lengths of bamboo and tie them together with the twine.
3. Place the bundle of bamboo in-between tree branches so it will be secure.  The trees will add additional shelter for the bees.

For a little more advanced project, try your hand at this bamboo bee house. 

Here’s what you need to build you bamboo bee house:

• Untreated wood block (roughly 10×15 cm) – bamboo of course is preferable but you can use a dead tree limb, a fence post or a scrap of firewood.
• Drill
• 5/16” drill bit
• Shingle or light piece of wood larger than the wood block
• Finishing nails
• Hammer
• String or wire
• Scissors
• Safety glasses

To make your bamboo bee house:

1. Drill a hole in the block, starting at one corner of the block’s face.  Either side of the block is okay.  Drill until the hole is about one centimeter from the back of the block.  Avoid drilling through the wood.
2. Continue drilling holes, about one centimeter (finger-width) apart until the block is covered with holes.
3. Use the finishing nails to attach the shingle (or wood piece) to the top of the block.  If your block is slanted at one end, attach the shingle to that end.  The roof should overhang the block.
4. Hammer a finishing nail into each side of the block.
5. Cut a piece of string, about 45 centimeters long.  Tie each end to a nail on either side of the bee house.
6. Attach the bee house to a fence, house, garage – anywhere in your garden close to flowers.  Hang it from a string like a picture or loop it around a fence post.  Make sure the bee house faces east and is at least three feet from the ground.

This type of bee housing is ideal for solitary-nesting bees.  A prime example of one is the orchard mason bee, one of the busiest pollinators of the bunch.  And if you’re worried about stinging bees, attracting solitary bees will ease your fear.  They are harmless and do not sting. 

Make sure to dress in incredibly wicking bamboo shirts and bamboo pants to help avoid attracting the sweat bees.  Organic bamboo clothing are not only comfortable enough to wear for yard projects but they will help keep you cool in these warm summer months.

Happy Beekeeping!

Related posts:

1. How To Make A Bamboo Wind Chime
2. How to Make a Bamboo Rainstick for music or ceremony
3. Eco-friendly Housing: Weaving A Nest Of Our Own
4. Bees In The United States: More Friend Than Foe!
5. How To Make A Flying Paper Lantern With Bamboo

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