Last updated on August 7th, 2023 at 01:26 pm
Looking for the perfect ways to help bees? We’ve covered you with our list of the best bee hotels for your garden.
Bee populations struggle due to several factors like habitat destruction, industrial farming, disease, and parasites, so it’s never been more important for us to do our part.
When you install a bee hotel, you are actively helping solitary bees like leafcutter and mason bees that make their homes in various holes around your garden.
Let’s dive straight in with some of our favourites so you’ll welcome a range of buzzing friends in no time.
Our Guide To Best Bee Hotels For Wildlife In Your Garden
Let’s look at some of our carefully selected recommendations while explaining exactly how you can set up your bee hotel and some things you should consider along the way.
Here’s a quick list of our top recommendations:
Now, let’s take a closer look at how each hotel works and what you can expect.
Woodside Bee Hotel (Editors Pick)
The Woodside bee hotel is both functional and attractive. Perfectly designed to provide a home for bees, ladybirds, butterflies and more.
The four-tier structure provides ample space to support several species. Each tier is designed around a different insect. The structure is made from 100% natural materials to ensure it doesn’t harm its environment or guests.
Mounting the hotel is incredibly easy due to a metal plate attached to the rear of the hotel. You can also free-stand the structure anywhere in your garden.
The hotel uses bamboo, pine cones, pinewood and wire mesh for a natural look that seamlessly blends into your garden surroundings.
This nice decorative design will be a welcome addition to any garden, and its easy mounting makes it a pleasure to deal with.
Currently sporting a 5-star average review on Amazon, it’s hard to look further than the Woodside bee hotel.
Pet Ting Bee Hotel
The Pet Ting bee hotel has a slimline appearance which is ideal in situations where space is at a premium.
Unlike other bug hotels, many options and sizes are available, so check out their other options.
This is an ideal small-scale solution for introducing more pollinators into your garden. Like most bee hotels, it will function for insects like butterflies, ladybirds, and more.
Unlike some other bee hotels, it also comes fully assembled. So if Ikea flat pack is your idea of a living hell, this could be your best choice.
Natures Market Bee Hotel (Budget Pick)
This is by far the smallest and cheapest hotel on our list. Let’s call it more of a bead and breakfast for bees.
What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in ease of use. With its handy hanging system, you can install this bee hotel virtually anywhere, and it will blend straight into the environment.
You can hang the Natures Market bee hotel from any suitable branch to hold it’s weight.
With the smaller design, you are unlikely to receive as many guests, but it will still be a welcome addition to any pollinators currently living in your garden.
Repeak Bee & Bug Hotel
The outer structure of this bee hotel is coated in an environmentally friendly waterproof, which poses no threat to the insects inside.
This makes the structure more durable than traditional wood hotels, where insects can eat the hotel structure to destruction.
Mounting has never been so simple with a hook mounted onto the back of the hotel. Ready to be hung on a wall, garden fence or as far as your imagination will take you.
A great educational item that allows an easy view of the insects within. It is perfect for households with children who enjoy watching insects go about their day.
The Repeak bee hotel is a perfect addition to any garden turning heads, whether insects or humans.
Wildlife Friend XXL Bee Hotel
Last but not least, we have the Wildlife Friend Bee Hotel. This attractive structure is made from untreated natural wood that will fit right into a bee-friendly garden.
It’s the largest bee hotel on this list, perfect for anyone with a large garden or wild area.
A safe haven for bugs in your garden, this hotel is suitable for bees, ladybirds, lacewings and lots of other fascinating insects.
Installation is straightforward and easy; use the hanging rope to place the hotel in its preferred location.
Due to the fired wood on this hotel, we recommend you try and situate the bee hotel in an area sheltered from the rain to avoid rot.
Want to learn more about bees in the wild? Check out our article on ‘How Do Bees Make Hives?’.
How To Install Your Bee Hotel
Locating and installing your bee hotel is easy once you understand some basic rules.
By following our short guide below, you can be safe knowing you’ve done everything possible to attract some welcome guests.
Which direction should my bee hotel face?
Your bee hotel must face south if you’re based in the UK.
The eggs and larvae within the hotel will thrive in the warmth provided by the sun throughout the day.
This can also help to avoid the spread of mould, fungus and parasites that thrive in wet and damp conditions.
*Pro tip – Make sure to locate your bee hotel in an area rich in pollen and nectar. These are essential to bee health and will play a massive part in the success of your hotel.
How far should I place it above the ground?
Finding the right location in your garden to place/ install your bee hotel is essential. I recommend locating your bee hotel 1-1.5m off the ground in an ideal garden.
This helps protect the inhabitants of your bee hotel from ground-level predators that would otherwise prey upon many of the species within your hotel.
How to attach and fix your bee hotel?
Now you’re all set with the right direction and height; you’re ready to start installing your bee hotel.
Fixing systems can vary from hanging to fixing directly to the wall. Whatever system you use, you must ensure your bee hotel is firmly fixed.
Any movement during severe weather could be catastrophic for the bees and insects, so be careful to test your hotel for movement from side to side and fix it accordingly.
*Important tip – Insects must have easy access to their hotel. While having your hotel located with dense foliage may be attractive, it will not appeal to your guests.
Should I buy a bee hotel with bamboo inserts?
Bamboo is often used in bee hotels as a cheap solution for shelter and protection within the hotel providing a great home for larvae.
If you do opt for a bamboo bee hotel, It’s important to ensure these tubes are 10cm long to provide ample space.
If you aim to attract bees specifically, the recommended width diameter is 6mm-10mm. Over this size, you will still be helping other insects, but the tube will be too wide to house solitary bees.
Find some of the best plants for solitary bees to plant next to your bee hotel.
In Conclsuion
Now you’re all set to start encouraging a range of bees and other pollinators to yoru garden and wild space.
It’s essential to protect our solitary bees and bee hotels are the perfect way for individuals to make changes on a larger scale.
Looking for other fascinating reads on the wildlife in yoru garden? Don’t miss our other great reads below packed with insights into the magical world happening in your garden right now.
