Native bees are wonderful pollinators. Most native Australian bees are solitary animals that you can easily attract to your garden by hanging up native bee hotels.

These hotels were constructed for native Reed Bees by filling a series of 20cm deep holes with pithy stems (in this case Tiger Grass and Lantana).

Other native bees prefer holes drilled in chopped up fallen branches. A variety of holes about 5mm – 8mm in diameter holes works well here. Ensure that each hole is at least 10cm deep and be sure not to drill the holes all the way through.

Hang them in a sheltered position with clear access to the drilled holes. Make sure the hotel is stable and won’t wobble as bees like a still home. Then sit back and watch the animals move in. It might take a week or several months but it will happen.

Filling your garden with flowing plants such as perennial basil, marigolds, dogbane and fruit trees is also a great idea. As is having a shallow saucer of water with rocks in so that the bees can get a drink and not drown.