Native pollinators come in many shapes and sizes. Sunday afternoon we spent some time building structures for the tube dependent kind. Species like the Blue Orchard Mason, Grass Carrying Wasp, Metallic Green Bee, or Leaf-cutter Bee.
We created wood structures that can protect the tunnels or tubes from moisture, and then filled the space with logs or boards with holes drilled 4″ – 5″ deep of varying diameters. In between we used dried pieces of Japanese knotweed because it is hollow in the center. A participant pointed out that the pith of sumac can be removed to make a hollow. Plastic straws may also be useful. Whatever you have on hand that allows the bee or wasp to go into the hollow, but also has a closed end.
Thanks to all that came, worked hard and walked away with a piece of habitat that can be shared. If you want to make your own pollinator house, there are loads of ways to do it, but the recommendation is to hang or position your structure facing east or southeast so the insects are warmed by the morning sun!