Bee/insect retreat

Great - an insect hotel eh? lol

I don't think they care where you are Gee as long as they like the location. We had a bee that resided in a metal pipe propped against the bench in the greenhouse. The pipe was occupied every season for as long as it was left there. Last year there was one near the door jamb of the garden shed nesting in a knothole!

Gee thats fantastic, they should love it, well done and you must have saved some money too. I love them.

Thanks, Grandmage. When I have time I will cut up some of my garden bamboos to fill a few gaps :)

Was going to say, 'that you have room for more' Lol think that would be better.

just found this pic - how well occupied has it been?

looks good too.

Nothing ever went near it, Fran. I tried it in different sites but nowhere seemed to suit. I might try again this year.

fingers crossed! any idea what might be putting off potential tenants, other than the siting of it?

It may be just that there are enough natural nesting areas around here for them (I live near a pond with lots of trees/shrubs around and there are always fallen branches, etc). I must admit I'm not sure where my nest is now - it may have taken off in the recent storms :(

*s* well, wherever it landed it'll no doubt soon be put to use

Gee they can take a couple of years for the bees to suss it out, give it time and just leave it be, they will nest when they are ready. Mine took two years and now I have hundreds.

Thanks for that, Grandmage. I have found it down the garden, rather wet I'm afraid. I think I need to find a more sheltered and secure spot for it - I will certainly keep trying.

fingers x'd. keep us posted, please!

Oh yes you do Gee it is vital to keep it dry and sheltered. Dry being the operative word. :)

would it help to slope it slightly downwards, to stop water getting in to the tubes? might also stop the wind blowing right down like organ pipes ... *s* I know nothing at all about the subject so might be totally off the wall!

The back is blocked off, Fran, so the wind doesn't blow through and I did site them slightly sloped but they weren't secured, just sat there. I put them where I could observe them but I think that was my mistake - they should have gone down the other end of the garden and been fixed in place. I will try harder this spring/summer:)

Grandmage, nothing is dry here at the moment :)

Don't I know it Gee.......my garden is like suet pud, but my bees are in the garage safe and sound and dry. (I bring them in for the winter)