A good alternative to commercial pollinator hotels which can often be inadequate habitats for bees. You can use cardboard or bamboo tubes, bundles of sticks, pinecones, or rocks to fill the boxes. Avoid plastic and glass as they can cause condensation. Be creative!
Watch a "Step by Step Tutorial" created by Mr. Maltais using the video link under the project photos.
Thank you to Mr. Clint Maltais of Peter Greer Elementary in Lake Country, BC for sharing this fantastic project with Skills Ready!
Watch a "Step by Step Tutorial" created by Mr. Maltais using the video link under the project photos.
Thank you to Mr. Clint Maltais of Peter Greer Elementary in Lake Country, BC for sharing this fantastic project with Skills Ready!
Tools & Materials
Material List
- 5/8" sheet plywood
- Wood glue (optional)
- Food grade finish (optional)
- Galvanized mesh wire
- Finishing nails
- Fence staples
- Scrap 2x4'
Tool list
- Hammer
- Square
- Drill
- Clamps (optional)
- Pencil
- Table saw
- Mitre saw or Hand saw with mitre box
Procedure
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Cut wood to dimension using table saw and mitre saw or hand saw with mitre box.
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Hammer three nails (bottom, middle, top) along the long edge of one of the side pieces.
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Fit the side piece along the edge of the back panel. Make sure the edge with the nails is flush with the back panel, and that the bottom and angles of the back panel and side piece are flush too. Hammer in the three nails you started in step one to secure the pieces together.
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Repeat this process with the second side piece. Dry fit the second piece before hammering in the three nails to ensure you are nailing along the appropriate edge.
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Slide the bottom support between the two side supports that are now fastened to the back. Make sure it is flush with the bottoms of the sides and the back. Hammer two nails into the bottom support from either side.
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Use 2x4’ blocks to space the middle support from the bottom. You can use a square to help you determine where to nail the support in from the sides by aligning the square with the edge of the middle support and scribing a line along the side pieces. Hammer two nails into the support from either side.
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Repeat the process for the top support. Use the 2x4’ blocks as spacers. The base is completed!
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Collect the two roof pieces. Hammer three nails (bottom, middle, top) along the long edge of the larger roof piece. Make sure the edge with the nails is flush with the second roof piece before hammering in the nails to secure the pieces together.
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Now you put the roof on the base. The back of the roof should be flush with the back of the base. Hammer in two nails through the roof into the back panel of the base. You can use a square to help you determine where to nail the roof into the side pieces of the base by aligning the square with the edge of the side pieces and scribe a line along the roof. Hammer a nail into the side pieces from either side of the roof. The structure is complete!
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You can add pine cones to one of the compartments and use the wire mesh to keep them in place. The mesh can be hammered in using fence staples or using a stapler.
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You can drill holes into wood blocks or logs for additional bee habitats. The drilled holes should be a variety of sizes (3/32” - 3/8") for different species of bees and be 6-7” in depth. Remember to sand the edges of the holes!