DIY Bumblebee Nesting Boxes - Step by Step

I'm always trying to bring in and facilitate as many pollinators as possible and this year is no exception. After researching numerous builds of bumblebee houses, watching videos of several bumblebee nest removals and simply reading literature on the humble bumble, I came up with a very easy to replicate design made out of a cedar picket. I hope this inspires you to build one for your property, especially if you live in colder climates like we do. The bumblebee has been known to fly as much as 10 degrees cooler than other beneficial pollinators, now that's an advantage I want on my homestead. With all the fruit trees coming within age of producing heavy yields, and with our summers (zone 3b) swinging so drastically from warm to freezing, I need as much help as I can get. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you learned something.

[@meredithguest3417]

Awesome! Thanks.

[@laurapope4715]

Love it! keep finding queens in my garden that are cold and torpid as we are having a chilly spring here in B.C. I've been reviving them with honey which is working - but I am worried they aren't finding places to nest. One thing that I have seen and will try on the box I will build today is to mark the front of the box where the entrance hole is with bright yellow paint to help the queens find the entrance. I'll use non-toxic paint and see if that helps them find the entrance. Given that all the bees I have found in the last couple of weeks are hiding in the first daffodils that makes sense. The cat-tails are such a great idea!

[@greeneacreshomestead]

Thank you- I just checked these boxes, where I put them in the fall, and there are chew marks around the entrance holes. Mice have been nesting… very excited to see what this spring/summer brings. Look for the follow up video for sure! I’d love to hear how you do with your journey as well! Keep me posted.

[@teresaanderson1574]

Great Job! I can't wait to see the follow-up and see which works best!

[@greeneacreshomestead]

Me too 😁

[@seeme7100]

If you use the tube then they can't wipe their feet in the first chamber? Also should you use sand paper so they don't get stabbed by splinters?

[@myretiredhobbiesgainesvill8140]

Looks like a good basic design and glad your using fence panels, I use those for several projects as well. I'll make one of these and put it in the back yard. As you mentioned, I'm interested in attracting more pollinators too. You sure have a lot of snow, we got about 2 inches recently and that's all I care to see here in zone 7b. Thanks for sharing your talents and designs, always enjoy watching and learning something. Take care.

[@greeneacreshomestead]

I’m grateful you enjoyed. I really appreciate the thoughtful comment. I think having a handful of cedar pickets is a necessity on the Homestead, so many uses. And yes we have quite a bit of snow, I’m actually glad for all of it- we need that insulation when the temps get down to 35 below… Oh to live in zone 7b!

[@jrmeindl]

Did any of your nest boxes attract any bees?

[@greeneacreshomestead]

Nothing so far- I’m hoping that keeping them out over winter will help. I’m hoping next spring to see something. There were bumbles all over the garden this summer so they’re somewhere close. I’ll sure try to keep the channel updated.

[@robbietroy4739]

Great video, will you be trying this Spring? Any tips on attracting Queens to the nestboxes?

[@mikerichardson7038]

Yellow paint around the entrance.

[@UkAmphibians]

Really good this thanks for sharing can you use polystyrene boxes too ? 🐸💚🐸

[@greeneacreshomestead]

I would think so- they’re just not that durable and susceptible to rodents.

[@UkAmphibians]

@@greeneacreshomestead Thankyou

[@northofnowhere3611]

Do you know of any particular height these should be mounted? I’m in 3b also, and the bumbles love my caragana (Siberian pea shrub) bushes. I’m excited to try building a few of these - thanks!

[@greeneacreshomestead]

Glad to hear you’re putting some up… it really depends on the type of bumble you have in your area. If you know the type you can narrow it down but it really just depends on what the queen is feeling. The Siberian pea shrub sounds perfect… I would try high and low locations on one and see what happens. I’ve seen nests occupied both in a tree about 4’-5’ off the ground and those that are tucked in the grass under a shrub or hedge simply placed on the ground. Hope you’re staying warm and good luck!

[@easton5001]

Can you advise me if it's important to place the nest box in a south, east or west facing position etc?

[@greeneacreshomestead]

Facing the entrance to the morning sun helps to warm the nest up after the coldest part of the day which is nighttime and also keeps it cool in the afternoon/evening when the day is at its hottest. That being said your nest should be in a shaded place, never full sun.

[@haroldcroley3825]

you said something about nesting material, what would this be , thanks

[@greeneacreshomestead]

Newspaper strips, small twigs, feathers, wood shavings, dried grasses, moss… think bird and mouse nests and you’ll be on the right track.