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How to make a Bumblebee Nest Pot Part 1

Nest pots have proved a very successful way of encouraging Bumblebees to nest/hibernate in your garden. A Bumblebees need to tunnel and be underground is strong and is not a need which is always considered in more commercial products, and as a result, these nest boxes which tend to sit on top of the ground, tend not to be very popular with Bumblebees. They can become popular nesting sites for ants which in return will keep the bees at bay. With Nest Pots, the ants, slugs and snails are excluded, and the fact that the pot sits below ground level and has it's own tunnel  means that the Bumblebees natural home is more closely replicated which should bring more positive results.  If you would like to try to make one of these pots then you will need the following: 

1 Flower Pot Terracotta or plastic with a minimum diameter of 20cm/8inch.                                                                 1 Flower Pot Tray or pieces of slate to provide rain proofing for top of pot.                                                                     1 length of garden hosepipe at around 30cms long with a minimum diameter of 18mm.                                         1 Nail preferably galvanised.                                                                                                                                                     1 Small square of Chicken Wire.                                                                                                                                             1 Small piece of Mosquito netting or other fine mesh plastic.                                                                                           Glue or tape to stick Mosquito net to inside of pot.                                                             

STEP 1 If the pot has only one ventilation hole on the bottom, as may be the case with Terracotta pots, the you will need to drill two more holes on the base to give a bit more ventilation. When that is done, take the Mosquito net, or any other fine net you are able to find, and cut tosize. The mosquito net is to cover the ventilation holes so it only needs to be a little bit bigger than the hole itsel. When you have done that, then you need to stick the net squares over the holes. This must be done on the INSIDE of the pot. This will create plenty of ventilation but will prevent any ants from setting up home in the nest pot.  

STEP 2 Next we will make the cradle upon which the nesting material will be placed at a later point. Take some Chicken wire and cut into a small square just slightly larger than the end of the flower pot (largest end of pot) When you have done this then take some Pliers and bend each of the corners of the chicken wire square under. The corners will act as feet for the cradle and will help keep the nesting material off the ground. Take the Pliers and continue to bend the sharp sides of the wire under slightly too. The photo below will show you what you are aiming for it to look like. The cradle will help prevent the nesting material becoming soggy and mouldy which could be a bother to the bee.

STEP 3 The final step is to make the tunnel. Take your length of hosepipe and you need to make several holes around the middle of your length. Try to make them where the hosepipe naturally curves as this will aid drainage.  You will need to ensure that the holes are of a big enough size to drain water away adequately. You can test this by running a little water down the pipe. This will ensure that the tunnel and nest pot don't get waterlogged. Finally take your nail and pass it through the end of the hosepipe, close to the end and insert it slightly off-centre. This should help to discourage the slugs from entering the tunnel. Slugs will not directly harm or bother bees but could easily block off the entrance to the tunnel and die, the bees would then be unable to enter or exit the pot.

Please find below photo's to help with the making of your nest pot. I appreciate it will take some time and effort, but these pots are found to of had a much higher success rate than traditional nest boxes as they more closely replicate a Bumblebees natural nesting site. I will post a PART 2  explaining how you are going to take all of these parts and place them in your garden.

 If you need any further help or advice then please don't hesitate to ask.