Description
PLACEMENT
Bees love warmth, therefore it is advisable to choose a sunny location with a dry ground and to ensure that the nest box is georiënteerd, southeast or southwest can also. Protection against strong wind is important here. Therefore look for a sheltered spot or creëer shelter around the nest box, for example in the form of a hedge or branch fence. By installing the bee hive heap in a half-moon shape, more heat is retained. This provides variation in microclimate, something that other insects also benefit from.
Bees must be able to find sufficient nectar and pollen within a radius of 100 meters. The presence of many flowering native herbs and shrubs in the immediate vicinity is therefore essential.
Finally, it is preferred to construct the bee hive heap near open water (pond, pool, ditch) or a small natural depression where water can remain (preferably within 100 meters distance). The bees use the water to drink and to make mud to seal the nesting tunnels.
MAINTENANCE
For maintenance of the bee hive heap it is especially important that it remains sufficiently bare and has only some sparse vegetation. If too much weeds grow, the burrow will no longer be used by wild bees. Therefore, ensure that storage of herbs and seedlings of shrubs and trees is removed in time. A good method is to make half of the burrow weed-free once a year and the other half the following year. The most suitable period for this is February.
