Empty bumblebee habitats don't work!

[Lotsaveg]

Interesting to read this study from the University of Stirling where the Bumblebee conservation trust is based:

Bumblebee nest boxes don't work

Rather a stark conclusion!!

[Two_Sheds]

I don't use them, after reading No Nettles Required. School's very keen to have lots of these artificial habitats around the place, but I think providing the right kind of natural conditions is more beneficial

[SarahStrawberry]

We made a bee box a few years ago and have placed it in numerous sheltered spots around the garden but they've never used it. They prefer a hole in the ground, dry stane dyke or this year, an airbrick in the wall that goes to underneath our floor! I'm not bothered as long as they exist and enjoy the garden.

[Lotsaveg]

I was reading about some bumblebee nests that have a huge long tunnel down into the brood chamber. This has given me an interesting idea with my Beepol lodge.... Watch this space!

[endymion]

We've tried making things for the bumble bees to nest in and under. They seem to prefer the holes between logs in a logpile to anything else.

Other bees seem to like a pile of sand left over from laying slabs, but nothing uses the collection of hollow stems and bamboo ends.

[snakeshack]

i have mason bees in my mason bee nest for the 2nd year running,but all the 5 blue tit boxes at the scout hut and the one attached to the chicken run at home have had bumble bees in this year,after the tits have moved out

[VirginVegGrower]

Bees reside in the cracks in my mother's high brick wall.