Colin PurringtonDec 5, 2022
If you need a gift for the #bee or #wasp lover in your life, I made a list of companies that sell #insect hotels. #pollinator #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #entomology #Hymenoptera https://colinpurrington.com/2019/05/where-to-buy-mason-bee-houses/
Where to buy mason bee houses » Colin Purrington's blog

A good bee hotel will have tunnels that are approximately 6″ (152 mm) long and have disposable or cleanable components. The latter can be achieved through the use of (1) disposable paper liners, (2) reeds that can be easily split open, then thrown away, or (3) routered wood trays that come apart for cleaning. Avoid […]

Colin Purrington's blog
Dr. Tania KimDec 5, 2022
Show threadColin Purrington
If you see an adorable insect hotel at the garden center, here's how to assess whether to buy it.
Dec 5, 2022 at 4:11pmWeb
Show threadColin PurringtonDec 5, 2022
Fixed the typo on the flow chart. New version available here if anyone cares. https://colinpurrington.com/2019/05/horrors-of-mass-produced-bee-houses/
The horrors of mass-produced bee houses » Colin Purrington's blog

Here are some reasons why cheap mason bee houses can end up hurting bee populations. I live in Pennsylvania (USA), so some of the issues might be specific to my location. And to the species that live here, of course. Check with your local authorities for more detailed advice. 1. Nesting blocks, tubes, reeds are […]

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Show threadDavid HowdonDec 5, 2022
@colinpurrington I’m intrigued as to why screw attachments make it a no. If I was going to put one of these on a fence or similar I would have thought screws would make it a more secure attachment.
Show threadAtrianDec 5, 2022
@colinpurrington Woah, I had no idea about a lot of these issues. I was planning to DIY some, but I need to go back to the drawing board.
Show threadColin PurringtonDec 5, 2022
@skullbunnygalaxy if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask
Show threadAtrianMar 27, 2023
@colinpurrington In a greenhouse book I am reading, I saw a suggestion for ladybug houses, but upon googling, they seem like a lazy re-hash of the problematic insect hotels you've mentioned, ie guides recommending cutting slits for lady bugs and throwing in bamboo. Do ladybugs care about insect hotels, and is it even possible to design one specific for them?
Show threadColin PurringtonDec 6, 2022
@skullbunnygalaxy https://colinpurrington.com/2019/05/guide-to-diy-mason-bee-houses/
Guide to building and managing a mason bee hotel » Colin Purrington's blog

In nature, tunnel-nesting bees are perfectly happy to use logs riddled by boring beetles or piles of dead plants that have hollow stems. That habitat is often in short supply in many yards, however, so it’s necessary to provide hotels if you want to attract them. These hotels can be as simple as a large […]

Colin Purrington's blog