Recycled Materials Bee Hotel

I've seen a few bee hotel making kits pop up lately and thought they sounded really neat so I figured I'd try to make my own and see if I can't use up some of the ludicrous number of straws I have cluttering up my kitchen drawer (too many take-aways!)

Bee hotels are used as breeding places by solitary bees who nest in the hollow stems but they can also be inhabited by other bugs too - over the spring and summer months bees and other creepy crawlies will hopefully appreciate it and make it their home!

• Frame - I designed a 3D printable frame for my bee hotel as I think it's cute but you can use a can, a bottle, a box - anything like that should be fine!

• Tubes - I'm using straws just because that's what I had an abundance of but you can use anything hollow - I've seen people use bamboo canes, blocks of wood with holes drilled through, even toilet paper rolls!

As I said, I designed and printed mine and will provide the stl file here in case you want to use it!

If you're printing, as usual, I won't be telling you how to use your printer as it varies so much!

Here are a few tips though:

• You shouldn't need any supports or a raft for this
• It's a reasonable size so will take a few hours so bear that in mind
• If possible, use something that can withstand a bit of heat and weather - I used PETG, you might be able to get away with PLA if you keep it somewhere sheltered though

If you're not printing you can use almost anything but if you're looking for bits around the house, I'd recommend a can or maybe a bottle with the ends cut off - basically something that can withstand a bit of weather and if it's a chance to recycle then all the better!

If you're wanting to paint the frame, now is the time to do it before you put the straws in.

This is a good idea if your frame is made of something transparent like a bottle or in my case clear PETG - bees and other little friends prefer their nesting areas dark!

I know the picture shows the straws in place and I'm sorry about that - I made the whole thing then decided to paint it and, even more silly of me, I didn't think to take a picture of it before I'd put all the straws back!

Once your paint is dry, it's time to make the bees their little rooms!

• Cut your straws or whatever material you're using into lengths just a little shorter than your frame
  • This is important as if they're longer, they'll stick out of the frame and get wet when it rains!
• Once you've got a reasonable number of tubes ready, start placing them inside the frame
• Keep adding your tubes until they hold themselves in place securely

If you're struggling for materials here, you can even make your own straws by wrapping scrap paper around a pencil - I did this to fill in a few gaps as I finally used up my straw horde!

Apologies for the inconsistency in my photos here by the way, I took the step by step pictures before I decided to paint it!

You're all done! You've made a bee hotel!

Now find a nice shady spot to place it and watch to see who comes to stay!

Once they've taken up residence you should be able to tell as they'll often block up the ends of their chosen tube!

You may see quite a lot of little friends come and go, checking out your hotel - not all of them will want to move in but some will!