Your garden and other outdoor spaces can be perfect for bees. With a couple of DIY projects, you can create a sanctuary that will bolster your local bee communities and bring life to your garden. With World Bee Day around the corner, there isn’t a better time to share these fun bee-related DIY projects for you to try. These projects are great for adults and kids alike, making them perfect as a family activity.
What is World Bee Day?
Observed on May 20th each year since 2017, World Bee Day aims to spread awareness about the pivotal role bees play on our planet. While it is estimated that three out of four crops used for human consumption rely on pollinators like bees, these small insects are under threat. Small changes at home can have a dramatic impact on creatures like bees, though.
The theme for this year’s World Bee Day is “Bee engaged – Build Back Better for Bees”, and it focuses on improving the world for bees in the wake of Covid-19. This ties in nicely with the steps that you can take at home, all while encouraging your children to think about bees as they grow up.
1. Using Pallets/Scrap Wood to Make a Planter
Bees pollinate flowers as they fly between them to collect nectar. While this helps plants to reproduce, it isn’t the primary purpose of bee activity; they’re looking for food.
By adding flowering plants to your property, you will encourage a thriving local bee population. Building your own planter can be a great way to do this without having to add soil patches to your garden.
You just need an old wooden pallet, some nails, and a handful of power tools to make this clever DIY planter. A planter like this can hold numerous flowering plants, and it’s nice and easy to build with scrap wood.
Alongside a DIY pallet planter, you could consider the idea of building a full raised bed out of railway sleepers. This will give you even more space for flowers.
2. 3D Printing Outdoor Planters
Those with access to a 3D printer can print their own simple planters and plant pots from an array of free designs online. Whether you want a basic plant pot (Thingiverse), a self-watering plant pot, or anything in-between, you can find it online.
It’s worth keeping in mind that fast and low-quality 3D prints won’t be watertight. This means that they may leak, and some people will prefer to use a sealing spray to finish their print once it is ready.
3. 3D Printable Bee Hotels
Many of the most well-known bees live in community hives, but this isn’t always the case. Some bees live a solitary life, often burrowing underground or finding holes in pieces of wood or stone.
Bee hotels can give bees like this much-needed shelter in an increasingly built-up world. If you have a 3D printer, you can easily make bee hotels to place around your home. This 3D printable bee hotel (Thingiverse) offers a great rain shelter and plenty of space for each bee. It can be printed without supports and doesn’t need any finishing.
If you would prefer to combine your bee-related efforts, you could also print this cute bee B&B (Thingiverse) with built-in plant pots. This will give your bees a great food source on their doorstep.
4. 3D Printable Bee Water Bowls and Ladders
Bees aren’t often associated with needing a drink, but they need water just like any other animal. They also use water for building nests, feeding, and other daily chores.
Like many other insects, falling into water can be very dangerous for a bee thanks to surface tension. They can’t get out on their own. Providing safe bee drinking spots is easier than ever before if you have a 3D printer at home. This bee feeder/waterer on Thingiverse attaches to a jar of water and slowly dispenses it to your insect friends. Small islands keep the bees safe from the water, and fluid flows out automatically as it runs dry.
If you would prefer a quicker print, you could also think about using a bowl you already own and a 3D printed bee ladder (Thingiverse). This will help bees to climb out of the water if they fall in.
5. Building a DIY Beehive From Wood
Beekeeping is one of the oldest forms of animal domestication. Many people don’t consider this sort of option for their garden, but it can be a great way to build your own thriving bee community.
There are a few considerations to make before you decide to build a DIY beehive.
Your location: This is a crucial factor when it comes to deciding to build a beehive. If you live in a place with very few surrounding plants, it’s likely that your hive will struggle. You also need to make sure that your bees won’t disrupt your neighbors. Space: Beehives aren’t large, but they still have a big footprint. Those will small gardens may struggle to use their space if they have a beehive. Access to bees: Some beekeepers wait for bees to naturally call their hive home, but it is faster to buy a queen to start with. This will be harder in some places than others.
It is worth mentioning that you will be able to make your own honey once you have an established hive. Once you have decided to build a beehive for your home, you will need to find a guide to help you. This DIY beehive guide from Family Handyman is a great starting point, giving you all the tips you need to build a quality hive.
Making Your Garden Into a Haven for Bees
World Bee Day is important to everyone, even if they don’t know it. Protecting the world’s bee populations will ensure that future generations get to benefit, just like we have.
You can easily enhance your garden and other outdoor spaces with features that will attract bees and encourage them to thrive. Of course, though, you can also take the time to think about the other visitors that come to your garden.
