Thought I would post a pic of my bee hotel made from discarded crate timber (1 star - backpacker class - casual hourly rates). I only slapped it together about a week ago and I am already looking to put up the "No Vacancy" sign.
So far, fire-tailed resin bees have been the principal guests but there are a couple of other types that I have not identified yet.
Its fun to watch the bees coming and going; when they need to turn around in the holes they first have to come out so they can turn around and back in (rear to kerb).
The internet shows many ways to attract the bees, most of them very simple for those who would like to provide some obviously much sought after habitat.
Do native bees not live in hives? I had no idea.
On a slightly related note, I saw a blue-banded bee for the first time a couple of weeks ago, in Shepparton. I didn't realise they came that far South, but apprently they are also around some Melbourne suburbs.
soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia
Blue-banded Bees are regular spring & summer visitors here on the south-eastern slopes of the Mt Lofty Ranges in SA. They're attracted by several Eremophila species & Flax Lilly Dianella revoluta. Where they have their nests or hibernate in the cooler months I have no idea. I suspect there's a number of other bee species visiting, too, but sadly I'm not up to bee speed.
They are resident in some south-eastern Melbourne suburbs, i have them regularly visiting some Salvias and Pelargoniums.
Fairdinkum...it works hey. I watched that vid but didn't really expect them to just arrive. Well done.
On your box I have been awaiting some books to arrive which they just have. Trying to get info from bee type people seems to always lead to the same answer, buy a book or a hive from me. They seem way to attached and protective of their bees which they are first to proclaim are social.
So I'm thinking if they just come to holes in wood, I will mount your box next to the hive and forget the tunnel bit. I had a crash course last night reading up on bee hierarchy and process. They are always on the lookout for new homes, and they always have princesses ready to start a new kingdom. So I think it will work. Hoping to get the job done tomorrow so to start the process.
Well done again on your efforts, how exciting.
Ipswich Shire Eastern flanks
Well it works for solitary bees Jason but I don't know about social bees. I haven't heard of social bees just moving in to an empty house next door. It may be that they are naturally programmed to put distance between the new hive and the old one for purposes of diversity and expanded food source.
Good work NP, that's a really cool way to do it. Great to see the bees are using it.
soakes,
There are both solitary and social species of native bees.
The social species (Trigona spp., Tetragonula spp. and perhaps others) have hives and produce small amounts of honey (often called sugar bag honey).
The solitary species such as the blue-banded bee, leaf-cutter bee etc, generally live in small holes dug into mud/clay banks etc. Other "bee hotel" ideas I have heard of include:
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane