Are you hoping to increase pollination on your land? Whether you have a simple city garden or a big family farm, you can improve the growth of your plants and flowers with leafcutter bees! At Kind Bee Farms, our leafcutter bees come with their very own pollinator house. Once you set it up, your bees will have a place to nest and build cocoons for new bees after long hours working in your plants and crops.
Follow this guide to learn how to properly set up, maintain, and store the bee house to ensure your kind bees have a cozy place to call home.
Setting Up the Bee House
Before you order your bee house, you should know where you plan to set it up and how you will mount it. If you place the bee house too far away from your garden or field, your bees may have a harder time pollinating your crop. To ensure your plants receive attention from the bees, their house should be placed within 300 feet of your plot.
After finding the right location, you will need to mount the bee house off the ground. Leafcutter bees do not fly super high, so aim to mount the house about 4 feet off the ground- low enough for them to reach and high enough to keep them safe! Placing the bee house off the ground prevents children or pets from knocking it over and keeps the bees safe from pests. However, make sure that the front of the house is not covered by overgrown plants, as this can make it difficult for the bees to locate their nesting tubes.
Once you choose where to place the bee house, do not move it! If you decide to relocate the house to another area of your property, the bees may be unable to find it.
Where Did My Leafcutter Bees Go?
If you notice that your bee house is missing a few friends, this does not mean your bees have left! Leafcutter bees nest in the wild by tucking into tight holes and small spaces, such as openings in tree trunks. Some bees may decide not to use the bee house and nest in other areas, such as the corners of your greenhouse or shed, or any area with a small space to build a nest. While our bee house is designed to provide leafcutters with a comfortable home, some may simply prefer to rest elsewhere!
Putting the Bee House into Storage
Once the growing season ends, it is time to put the bee house in storage. Keeping the house stored during the winter will ensure the cocoons your bees laid inside stay intact and do not hatch too early, and will also protect the quality of your bee house. Your house should be stored once the weather is close to freezing temperatures. We recommend keeping the box your Bee Starter Kit arrived in, as it is the perfect size for a storage solution and offers an extra layer of protection.
The house can be kept in a cool, dry place such as a garage or a garden shed that is not insulated or heated. Make sure the temperature in your storage area remains consistent, and do not store the bee house close to a heat source, or the cocoons may begin to hatch.
Our bee houses generally last two to three years with proper care, but you can extend the lifespan of your house by sealing, staining, or painting the wood. The best time to freshen or seal up your bee house is during the fall when it’s no longer in use – just make sure all the live bees are gone so you don’t disturb them!
Order Your Pollinator House from Kind Bee Farms
You can boost your garden or crops during the next growing season by introducing leafcutter bees to your property! By properly setting up, maintaining, and storing their bee house, you’ll ensure the quality of the house and keep your bees safe for many more seasons to come.
Contact Kind Bee Farms today to learn more about how to order your pollinator house.