Create a home for native bees

There are hundreds of different types of bees across our state that help pollinate plants.

Some bees prefer a specific variety of flower to feed on while others don't mind what kind they snack on. Some live in colonies and work together, others are solitary — living and working alone.

No matter what kind, we need bees to pollinate our garden plants, trees, crops and wild plants in order to help them grow into healthy and nutritious plants that maintain a healthy environment. In this project. we'll make a house designed for solitary bees.

What you'll need:

• Tin can or other waterproof container

• Paper straws, bamboo or reeds

• String or something to hang it with

1. Collect your supplies. You'll want to have a container that is waterproof to keep the inside of your bee home dry — a tin can, coffee can, or plastic container would work well. (It should be clean and dry.)

Bees will nest in hollow tubes you set up in the container. You can use paper straws, rolled-up parchment paper tubes, small bamboo, hollow sticks or reeds.

2. Cut the hollow tubes to fit the length of your container.

3. Bundle up your materials and insert them into your container. You'll want to fill it up so they fit snugly inside. Be sure the ends are fully inside so the bees are protected from rain and sun.

4. Attach a string or wire to the container so you can hang it outside in a tree or other area. Hang it on its side at a slight angle so rain doesn't pool inside. Place outside in early spring. Then check back to see if you have any bees making a home inside!

Mason bees are common visitors to homes like these. They fly from early spring to early summer. Bee nests are highly variable depending on the species, but most construct their homes with mud or leaf pulp. Sand, gravel, resin, wood chips, or flower petals may also be used.

If you're looking for a mason bee, the adults are dark and bulky, often with a metallic blue sheen. They are easily recognizable but rarely seen due to how fast they fly!

Here are some extra tips to make your bee home more cozy:

• Ideal tunnel depths are between 5 and 8 inches, and diameters from 1/8' to 1/2,' but you do not need to be very exact. Variation in tunnel dimensions accommodates more bees of different species and sizes.

• Bee houses should be at least three or four feet above the ground, ideally closer to five.

• Ideal locations are recently disturbed, weedy fields in the process of reverting to a more natural state. Abandoned lots, overgrown gardens, railroad right-of-ways, and recently cleared trees are all good bets. Place the nest in a dry spot with low vegetation, if possible. Mason bees need a nearby mud source, but don't put the nest right on top of it.

• Most importantly, make sure there are flowers available throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Ideally, there should be several species blooming at any given time. Maintaining a 'pollinator garden' nearby is always a good idea.

To get your child involved in fun learning opportunities, check out Clover Kids (grades k-3), 4-H (grades 4-12), Lego Teams, and hands-on educational kits for purchase or checkout at www.extension.iastate.edu/linn/4h.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Linn County helps build a strong Iowa by engaging Iowans in research, education, and extension experiences to address current and emerging real-life challenges. The 4-H Youth Development program empowers youth to reach their full potential through youth-adult partnerships and research-based experiences. Linn County Extension Office website: www.extension.iastate.edu/linn