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Why cavity-nesting bees need more than flowers

Most pollinator advice stops at planting lavender and leaving the lawn long. That helps nectar feeders, but it misses the bees that need a dry tunnel in which to lay eggs. In the UK, the majority of solitary bees nest in the ground; the rest use hollow stems, beetle exit holes and crumbling mortar. A tidy garden removes exactly those features. The result is a garden with food but no nesting space, which is why a bee hotel can matter most in early spring, when mason bees are ready to nest and suitable cavities are scarce.

What a Wildzy bee hotel is meant to solve

A useful hotel has to address three physical problems: tunnel diameter, stability and weather protection. Cavity-nesting species sort themselves by size, so a mix of roughly 6–10 mm holes is more practical than one uniform drill bit. The unit must be fixed firmly; movement damages developing larvae. It also needs an overhang or roof so rain does not flood the tubes. For gardeners comparing small habitats, the wildzy range is one example of a timber unit built around those three requirements rather than around decoration alone.

Placement: the 1–2 metre rule

Mount the hotel between one and two metres above ground, facing east or southeast so morning sun warms the entrance without baking it all afternoon. Keep it within about 100 metres of flowering plants, but away from bird feeders and pesticide-treated borders. A wall that stays damp or receives strong late sun is a poor site. The fix is simple: move the unit before nesting begins rather than disturbing it later. A stable, dry, sunlit position does more for occupancy than adding more flowers nearby.

Maintenance: less handling, better timing

Do not open a hotel during spring or summer. Capped tubes contain developing bees, and early inspection breaks the seals that protect them. Wait until late autumn, then check for mould, damp or damaged tubes and replace disposable inserts. Clean the frame with a dry brush; avoid chemical cleaners. If tubes are capped with mud, leaf pieces or chewed plant material, the hotel is being used. Leave those tubes in place until the bees have emerged, then clean and store the structure dry over winter.

What success looks like in the first season

An empty hotel in April is not a failure. Solitary bees forage widely before nesting, and a new unit may take a season to be found. Look for small mud plugs, neat leaf discs or capped tunnels from late spring onward. Those are the practical signs that a bare wall has become nesting habitat. The wildzy-style approach works best as part of a wider wildlife garden: keep some dead stems, leave bare soil patches and avoid insecticides. The hotel is not a substitute for habitat; it is a targeted repair for one missing feature.