How to Build a Bumblebee Hive

Bumble bees, like their cousins the honey bees, live in colonies or "hives." However, unlike their cousins, bumble bee hives are usually much smaller and are not oriented for producing honey. Rather, the hive can be found in underground burrows and even abandoned mouse holes. Bumble bees make a helpful addition to a garden, and having a hive nearby ensures that the entire garden is pollinated.

Things You'll Need

  • Upholster's Cotton
  • Rough finished plank, 6 by 62 inches
  • Cutting Saw
  • Drill
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut your plank into four pieces of 6-by-12-inch planks and two pieces of

      6-by-5-inch planks. Select one of the 6-by-12-inch planks to serve as the front for your hive and drill a 3/4-inch hole. By drilling this hole you will provide easy access into and out of the hive for your bees, but at the same time, prevent potential predators from entering.

    • 2

      Take two of the three remaining 6-by-12-inch planks and designate them as your sides. Drill small pinhead-sized holes along these sheets to allow ventilation and circulation throughout the hive.

    • 3

      Take all of your cut sheets and position them to form a box with the 6-by-12-inch planks as sides and the two 6-by-5-inch planks as the top and bottom. Nail these boxes together to form a tight box. You will not be placing anything into the box as the bumble bees will use the rough wood sides and roof as a starting material to build their hive from their saliva.

    • 4

      Choose a location to put your nest by finding a sheltered south-facing site to rest your box. Try to find a warm area, but out of direct sunlight.

    • 5

      Identify how you would like to introduce bumble bees into your hive. You can purchase a start-up hive from an online retailer (with a queen) or simply place your hive in a high-traffic bumble bee area such as a garden. If you choose the do-it-yourself option you will need to patiently wait for a new queen to make shop in your hive come spring.