Our bee hotel is here to give solitary bees a place to nest and rest!

About: 

A bee hotel is like a tiny apartment building for solitary bees! Unlike honeybees that live in hives, solitary bees prefer to nest on their own in small, protected spaces. Our bee hotel mimics the natural habitats they love—like hollow plant stems and tiny holes in wood.

Here at LRPPG, we recognize the importance of supporting local bee populations. Bees of all shapes and sizes are essential pollinators that keep habitats healthy, enhance biodiversity, and even keep our food systems going! We started our bee hotel by collecting natural materials found throughout the Parkland, including pecan wood drilled with nesting holes, hollow hemlock tubes, and dried white sage stalks. These materials provide safe, cozy spots for bees to lay their eggs.

What Are Solitary Bees? 

While most people picture bees buzzing around hives, 90% of bee species actually prefer the solo life. These solitary bees don’t make honey, but are important pollinator species. Each female bee builds her own cozy little nest. She’ll leave a stash of pollen and nectar to feed her young, then seal the entrance with materials like mud or leaves. Inside, the eggs hatch, and the larvae grow into adult bees. When they’re ready, they emerge to start the process all over again, pollinating plants and flowers throughout the Parkland! No hives, no queens—just busy bees doing their thing!

Who Are Our Guests? 

Leafcutter Bees (Megachile spp.): These clever bees cut little circles out of leaves to line and protect their nests. They’re great at pollinating garden plants and wildflowers.

Mason Bees (Osmia spp.): The builders of the bee world! Mason bees use mud to seal up their nests and are amazing at pollinating fruit trees and flowers.

Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa spp.): These larger bees usually create their own nests by burrowing into wood, but they sometimes use our hotel’s pre-made spots, too. Look for them buzzing around bright, colorful flowers.

What Can You Do to Help? 

Here are a few simple ways to help solitary bees thrive:

• Plant Native Flowers: Bees love a variety of flowers, especially native plants. Add some bee-friendly blooms to your garden to give them more food sources.
• Provide Water: A small dish of water with stones or marbles for bees to land on is a simple way to help keep them hydrated.
• Create Your Own Bee Hotel: With just a few materials, you can build a bee hotel at home and provide more safe nesting spots for these incredible insects.