Materials
- lumber—see specifications below
- chop saw or other saw capable of making mitered and beveled cross-cuts
- screws—23 total, GRK trim head screws, size #8 × 1-1/4″
- T-10 star bit, to drive trim screws (usually included when you purchase a box of screws)
- wood glue
- power drill
- ruler or tape measure
- bar clamps or masking tape, to hold pieces in place while fastening
- wood filler, to hide screw holes
- sandpaper, 120 grit, for smoothing screw holes, board ends, and wood filler
- exterior finish of your choice (marine varnish, spar urethane, or primer and paint)
- paintbrush, to apply finish
- nesting materials in approximately 6″ lengths
- attachment hardware of choice, such as
- two #9 deck screws with corresponding drill bit and manual screwdriver
- birdhouse mounting bracket with keyhole openings
Lumber Specifications
- Clear yellow pine is a mid-priced option that has minimal knots and blemishes and is unlikely to split while fastening with the recommended trim screws, but it does require an exterior finish for durability.
- Cedar is more durable without finish, but more likely to split during fastening. If you use cedar, pre-drill before fastening with screws to avoid splitting the wood. Stainless steel screws are recommended, since cedar can corrode other fasteners.
- Quantities
Nominal dimensions | Actual dimensions | Length needed |
---|---|---|
1″ × 10″ | 3/4″ × 9-1/4″ | 14″ |
1″ × 8″ | 3/4″ × 7-1/4″ | 14″ |
1″ × 6″ | 3/4″ × 5-1/2″ | 24″ |
Cuts
From the 1″ × 10″ board, cut two pieces (Figure A4-1):
- One piece 6-1/4″ long (A)
- One piece 7″ long (B)
From the 1″ × 8″ board, cut two pieces (Figure A4-2):
- Both 6-3/4″ long, beveled to 45° at one end (C)
From the 1″ × 6″ board, cut three pieces (Figure A4-3):
- Two pieces 6-1/2″ long (D)
- One piece 9-1/2″ long, mitered to create the 45° roof pitch (E)
Assembly Steps
- Attach left side (C) and back (E) as shown in Figure A4-7
- Line the vertical edge of E with wood glue where it will touch C
- Bring E into contact with C and use a piece of masking tape or clamp to temporarily stabilize the joint while handling
- Attach E and C with screws
- Attach bottom and shelf (D, two parts) to left side (C) and back (E) as shown in Figure A4-8 and A4-9
- Use a ruler or tape measure to establish the 3-3/4″ spacing between bottom and shelf
- Line each joint with glue, stabilize with tape or clamp if needed, and fasten with screws
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 to attach the right side (C) to the back (E), bottom (D), and shelf (D) (Figure A4-10)
- Line each joint with glue, stabilize with tape or clamp as needed, and fasten with screws
- Attach the short side of the roof (A) to the back (E) and side (C) (Figure A4-11)
- Line each joint with glue and fasten, as above
- Note that screws entering E are driven perpendicular to the roof, while those entering C are driven parallel to C
- Attach the long side of the roof (B) to A, C, and E (Figure A4-12)
- Line each joint with glue and fasten, as above
- Fill screw holes with wood filler
- Let the wood filler cure, then sand wood filler and any other rough areas with sandpaper
- Use a paintbrush to coat all surfaces with exterior finish of choice
- Mount to side of 4″ × 4″ wooden post, outbuilding, or other vertical surface using hardware of choice
- If using deck screws:
- Pre-drill two holes centered on E, one above the shelf and one below the shelf
- Lay a strip of masking tape flat along the back of E over the two holes, and mark their location on the tape with pencil or by poking holes in the tape
- Transfer the masking tape to the mounting surface and pre-drill holes at the marked locations
- Attach the hotel to the mounting surface with a deck screw in each hole; these will be driven from the front by reaching into the bee hotel and will likely need to be driven by hand with a screwdriver or using a long extension on a power drill or driver.
- If using birdhouse mounting brackets, follow the mounting instructions included with the brackets
- If using deck screws:
- Fill with nesting materials
Publication date: July 6, 2022
AG-915
Other Publications in How to Manage a Successful Bee Hotel
- What is a Bee Hotel?
- Meet the Residents
- Bee Hotel Design and Placement
- What If Bee Hotels Aren’t Actually Good for Bees?
- Appendix 1. Bee Hotel Checklist
- Appendix 2. Plants with Leaves and Fibers Used as Construction Materials in the Nest Interior
- Appendix 3. Plants that Produce Hollow or Pithy Twigs and Stems Used by Nesting Bees in Eastern North America
- Appendix 4. Building Plans for a Simple Bee Hotel Shelter
- Appendix 5. Additional Resources
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This publication printed on: Dec. 08, 2024