Solitary bee home barrel

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Where to place

• Hang in a sunny position – ideally full sun, south or south-east facing, as bees rely on the sun's heat.
• Try hanging between 1m and 1.5m above the ground, sheltered from strong winds.
• Ensure nothing blocks the tube entrances, even bee-friendly plants.
• Site in an area featuring bee-friendly food sources, such as flowers, fruit trees and herbs.
• Site near appropriate nesting material, such as mud for Red mason bees.

Usage and maintenance

• We recommend replacing tubes at least once every 2 years.
• If tubes become dirty or damaged, RSPB Shop sells replacement bee home tubes which are the optimal length for bees.
• Inspect the tubes annually. New bees should emerge once the weather warms up in spring.
• Bees do not do well in cold and wet conditions so you may want to move the barrel into a shed or garage during winter when successful tubes will contain cocoons.
• A tip for identifying tubes with guests: Red mason bees will add mud to a tube, whereas Leafcutters will cap the tube with leaf pieces.
• Red mason bees are quite common in England and Wales (particularly in urban and lowland environments) but less so in Scotland, particularly north Scotland. They have been observed in Ireland also.