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Bee bungalow

cwf-fcf.org > English > Resources > Do It Yourself Projects > Outside
  • Do It Yourself Projects
  • At Home
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bee on flower echinacea

Believe it or not, Canada has more than 800 species of bees! There are not only honey and bumblebees but also leafcutter, carpenter, sweat, mason, orchard, and digger bees to name a few. All are important pollinators.

Though the honey-bee is probably the best known of bees, it is not native to Canada. Our native bees are actually better pollinators. Many are able to work in all kinds of weather (unlike the honeybee who goes into hiding if it is not warm and sunny), they tend to specialize in pollinating one type of plant and are therefore more efficient at it, and, without a hive to protect, are more docile than honey-bees.

Although an abundance of blooming flowers is important for bees, it is nesting sites that are often in short supply. Providing homes for our native bees will be greatly appreciated.

  • Obtain several 8 cm to 13 cm-thick blocks of wood (scrap lumber is fine).
  • Drill holes about 90 per cent of the way into the blocks, 3 to 8 mm in diameter, and spaced 1 to 2 cm apart.
  • Hang your bee bungalows in a shady, dry spot under the eaves of a house or shed in early spring. Do not place them in direct sunlight

 

The Buzz on Bees

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Bee Courteous, Bee Safe

You may attract more than butterflies to your garden — other pollinators, such as bees, may also appreciate your efforts.

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Bees in Canada

Roughly how many species of bees are there in Canada?
(a) 45
(b) 130
(c) 475
(d) 800

Read More

Wild About Bees

Get to know Canada’s 16 bee families, including the masons, the nomads and the plasterers, and why they have such interesting names. You’ll also discover answers to mysteries like why our bees aren’t as...

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Help Bees in Your Garden

Some thoughtful gardening and a little planning is all it takes to help our native bees. Follow these tips to provide habitat for a diversity of bee species:

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Plant for Bees, Butterflies, and Other Pollinators

Habitat loss, pesticide use, and pollution are endangering bees and butterflies across Canada. The decline of these busy pollinators puts some major food crops and flowers in danger too.

Read More
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