When we say ‘bee’, we immediately think of the hive, the queen and honey. However, did you know that 90% of wild bee species do not produce honey and live alone?
As we saw in our guide to the inhabitants of the insect hotel, these discreet bees are nevertheless essential to the survival of your garden. Here’s why you should definitely pamper them.
1. They are harmless (no stings!) This is the first thing to know to reassure parents. With no honey to defend, solitary bees are not aggressive.
Did you know? Most males don’t even have a sting. So you can watch them come and go in front of your insect hotel with your nose pressed against it without any risk.
2. Pollination champions A solitary bee is often much more efficient than a honeybee. For example, the red mason bee (a species commonly found in hotels) emerges as early as March, even when it is cool (12°C). According to a study reported by National Geographic, a single mason bee can pollinate as many flowers as 120 worker bees! They are vital for your fruit trees (apple, cherry).
3. The winning combination: shelter and food Installing a BetterflyBox hotel provides ‘shelter’ (tubes for laying eggs). But for them to settle in, they also need ‘food’ (nectar).
- Tip: Plant local honey plants (lavender, clover, borage) in the immediate vicinity of your hotel. This is the perfect combination for creating a biodiversity bubble.
Conclusion Protecting solitary bees means ensuring tomorrow’s fruit harvest. They are the invisible guardians of our food supply.