Straws for Bees
About Solitary Bees
There are about 450 species of bees native to BC. All of them are expert pollinators, many of them are stingless, and about 20% of them are solitary. Rather than forming hives, they lay their eggs in small holes and cavities. Like all bees, populations of these bees are declining as a result of habitat loss, disease, pesticides, and climate change.
Straw Nests
In addition to planting bee-friendly gardens and avoiding pesticide use, people are turning to "bee houses" as a way to help. Waterhorse donates our "off size" straws (the result of calibrating our machines) to local bee-keepers so they can make and supply bee houses. For information about bee houses, ask your local plant nursery: they usually stock them in early spring as "Mason," "orchard," or "solitary" bee houses.