10 Mistakes to Avoid with Your Bee Hotel

There’s something utterly charming about a tiny bee hotel tucked into a sunny corner of your garden — a place where nature’s hardest-working pollinators can safely rest and raise their young.

But if you’re hoping to welcome a gentle buzz of activity, there are a few things you’ll want to do right — and a few common mistakes you’ll want to avoid.

Here’s how to make sure your bee hotel is a true haven for solitary bees:

1️⃣ Buying a decorative-only bee hotel

Some “cute” bee hotels are little more than garden decor. Bees need the right size and depth of nesting tubes to thrive.

Look for: 6–10mm diameter, 4–6 inches deep.

2️⃣ Using plastic materials

Plastic bee hotels can overheat or trap moisture, harming bees.

Choose natural materials like bamboo, reed, or wood.

3️⃣ Leaving the back open

Bee hotels should have a solid back to protect from wind, rain, and predators.

4️⃣ Hanging it in a tree

Trees are too shady and damp. Instead, mount your bee hotel on a wall, fence, or post, about 3–5 feet high.

5️⃣ Facing it away from the sun

Bees are solar-powered! They need morning sun to warm up and start their day.

Face your bee hotel east or southeast.

6️⃣ Placing it far from flowers

If nectar-rich flowers aren’t nearby, your hotel may remain empty. Place your bee hotel within 300 feet of bee-friendly blooms.

7️⃣ Skipping cleaning

A dirty bee hotel can harbor parasites and disease.

Clean and replace tubes annually to protect your tiny guests.

8️⃣ Using glued-in tubes

Bees can become trapped in glued tubes. Use removable tubes or paper liners.

9️⃣ Not providing natural nesting materials

Leave some bare soil, hollow stems, and leaf litter nearby to support a variety of native bees.

0️⃣ Giving up too soon

It may take a season for bees to find your hotel — be patient.Once they discover it, they’ll return year after year.

Final thought: When set up with care, your bee hotel can become a bustling little center of life — and a charming addition to your garden.

Place it, plant nearby blooms, and let the magic unfold. 🐝🏡✨ Cheers!