Watch the bees! – new Orchard Solitary Bee Observation Nest Box ” Inspired by nature, driven by science”
All Nurturing Nature solitary bee observation nest boxes have been designed to provide optimal nesting requirements, optimal bee management and optimal educational opportunities. They are a hybrid between a ‘closed cell’ and a ‘loose cell’ cocoon management system, combining advantages of both systems. It allows you to choose which system. All of the cells can be completely disassembled, sterilised, reused and cleaned each season, making management of your bees much easier. Observation of the bees at work is easy, simply slide out the nesting unit.
This represents real value for money at a very competitive price
Passionate about environmental education, this new product was designed after the huge success of the single solitary bee observation nest box and several requests for a larger version. Improvements have been made based on bee’s usage and observations, maximising the benefits for them. You can still view the bees at work, offer them more nesting cavities and learn more about their lives with the cocoon emergence box which comes fitted.
These male red mason bees are waiting for the females to emerge, spending cooler days and nights inside, patiently!
Greatly increase your pollinating solitary bee numbers
This design has the potential to greatly increase the numbers of cavity nesting solitary bees in your garden. It is also ideal for larger gardens, orchards, allotments, soft fruit growers, nature reserves, schools and anywhere else that would like to increase their solitary bee population or to educate people. There are 5 solitary bee nesting units, each with an observation window on each side and numerous well-spaced nesting holes to minimise search time and maximise numbers. The length of the cavities favours the laying of more females bees, which are more important than males who are only needed for fertilisation of the females.
Better for bees
The overhanging roof and recessed nesting units offer protection from wind and rain, important with mud sealed cavities and for leaf cutting bees. Easy to clean, reusable solid wooden nesting blocks, with sealed back ends, should give many years of usage. Easier to clean and manage than transparent acrylic tubes and being surrounded by mainly wood lessens the risk of fungal infections of larval food and thus the death of the bee larvae, as found in such tubes as time goes on. No more holes drilled into pieces of untreated wood, (encourages pests and diseases) no more bamboo canes to split, no more reeds to collect and dry, no more paper or expensive cardboard tubes to replace allowing for easier management of the bees. The nest box works, beautifully! Detailed instructions come as standard.
This prototype nest box had all of the available nest cavities in use and was full at the end of the breeding season.
Schools and nature reserves
Giving school children a ‘real hands on’ and practical engagement with science, this is a ‘real value for money’ educational product and would look well at any environmental/educational nature reserve.
Watch as the bees work hard inside the nesting cavities. Numerous observational studies can be made along with other areas of the National Curriculum and offers interesting research opportunities. Nesting units can be bought separately.
Sold out.New stock shortly. Includes 5 complete nesting units and cocoon emergence box, (as above) boxed and delivered to mainland UK…….
nurturing-nature@virginmedia.com. 01925 452819
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Nurturing Nature Ltd, 28 Ringwood Close, Gorse Covert, Warrington, WA3 6TQ
T: 01925 452819
E: nurturing-nature@virginmedia.com
The solitary bee nest box is a Registered Design. Designed in the UK, hand made locally in the North West from sustainable and certified PEFC marine plywood.(Non-PEFC premises). Working model shown is a painted prototype. Does not come painted or include bees/cocoons! Timbers and timber colours may vary according to supplies.
As with all my innovative products, I continually work on the further development of them all. Therefore please understand that I reserve the right to make design, equipment, materials and technical modifications.
Do you offer plans to build your on for sale? I am in the unoted states of America and would love to build some boxes for my yard here in idaho. I love bees and have had leaf cutter bees in my yard for years, but have never provided any homes for them. I love the idea of being able to more actively observe them and share with my children. I would also love the bumblebee box as well. If you do not offer plans, what are the prices in us dollars with shiping costs. I am in idaho.
Thanks,
Christy
I will email you Christy. Thanks, George
Hi, I have leaf cutter bees in my garden for the 2nd year running. Wonderful, I can’t believe my runner bean yield! I am very interested in buying a ‘box’ from you, but don’t understand the idea of the cocoon box at the base. Do you clean out the holes and put the cocoons into the box?
Hi Jill, In essence thats exactly what is done! HTH, Cheers, George
George, This is quite a nice design and your bee box cleanliness information is revelatory! Do the blocks in your design need to be replaced with new wood each year? These are native bees – does one need to store the cocoons warmly inside or in a cool dry location outside? Do the blog posts mention how to manage leaf cutter or mason bees, or does that information only come with the nest box? Thank you!
Hi Kathy, The wood blocks will last many years. Yes, you are right! The detailed instructions come with the nest boxes. I cannot give all my secrets away!! 🙂 Cheers, George
will you please send the information required for the success and use of your
bee nests are they sure to attract bees once set in position. thank you i
look forward to your reply i am only in ashton.in.makerfield
my phone number is; 01942 274269
bee nests. i am very interested in keeping a few bees in my garden
Phoned you a couple times and left message. Cheers, George
Hello George,
Interested in your bee boxes; do you ship to U.S. (California)?
Thanks,
Hi Sandra, yes I have shipped quite a few bee boxes to N. America. Will email you. Thanks, George
Hi George, ( so glad I found your site)
I have several of the commercially made bee boxes, don’t worry, I will be changing, but I have real trouble with something raiding the tubes, It sometimes happens within a few hours of the tubes being sealed and sometimes it will happen days later, we have lots of birds and at least 4 woodpeckers, so I think I know what’s happening, my question is, if I buy one of your nesters, does it offer protection from birds etc?? I have tried wire netting on the front of the boxes but even this sometimes doesn’t work and sometimes even seems to put the bees off entirely. hope you can help, many thanks, kind regards Ann
Hi Ann, There is more to my bee box than the design of it. The instructions are very comprehensive and things that you mention are mentioned! Cheers, George
Hi.
I am thinking of buying one of these for my Mum’s garden in France. Can you tell me what the shipping costs would be for both the large and small versions of the bee hotel?
This makes me wish I had a garden…
Thanks,
Anna.
Hi Anna, of course. I would need a full address post code and other details so could you email me please. I have both orchard and solitary bee boxes in stock. Either use the contact form or
nurturing-nature@virginmedia.com. Thanks George
Hi George,
we at the sanctuary are ready to expand the diversity of bees we are supporting, and would truly value a visit and some advice with a view to purchasing and installing a number of your boxes, and the potential for developing an over wintering area for bumblebees, ( for next winter ).
I also have access to the grounds and orchards of the Hawarden Estate Farm Shop, and in association with them, the potential for developing a new idea, the first ‘Meadow Maze ‘…. a maze cut into a field grown for the benefit of nature and education in particular the bees, again your input would be invaluable.
Many thanks
Neil
Neil, I will email you. Thanks, George
Hello
What fantastic designs! I just have some questions. Does the observational nest box need to be mounted? If there a preference for where it is sited? How high maintenance is it i.e. Would an elderly person struggle? What happens if you go on holiday?
Many thanks
Charlotte
Hi Charlotte, no it just lays on the ground, I site mine where I can see the hedgehogs a few feet from my patio windows. Other than a lick of paint prior to storing thats it, perhaps a little cleaning if they have dirtied inside and thats it! Same as any wild animals they go to where the food is..if it goes so do they or get your neighbours to feedthem!. I have found when I restart after my hols they soon find it again! Cheers,George
Hi George
Thanks this sounds great. I live near Warrington, could I arrange a visit? Do you have any in stock? Many thanks Charlotte
Hi Charlotte, I have been away on business I will check the stock tomorrow and get back to you. cheers George
Hi Just wondered if you had any stock? I’m keen as I have a queen buzzing about my blue tits box and I’m sure she’d love a home! Many thanks Charlotte
Hi Charlotte, if it was a queen its likely to be a large bumblebee queen which use bumblebee nest boxes and not my orchard bee box, both in stock! Cheers, George
Hi George
Thanks for your expertise on this, is it ok to just come along or should I make an appointment? Many thanks Charlotte
Hi Charlotte, come along to where? Thanks, George
Hello. I would like to know about the bee box for the solitary red bee or similar. I currently have simple bee houses working fine but I’d love to see if I can afford the box that Dave Goulson had a video showing its viewing box-made by you. I am in N. America, Louisville, KY 40207. What is the price please? Thank you.
Frances, will email you. Cheers, George