We know that you might have questions about the Bee Brick, so we've put together the most commonly asked. If you've got a question that we don't answer here then please let us know and we should be able to help.
Will I get bees in my walls?
No! Bee Bricks are solid at the back so no bees enter the cavity wall, they simply nest within the cast tubes inside the Bee Brick.
Will I get honey in my walls?
No! Bee Bricks are designed for solitary bees, who don't produce honey, don't have a queen, don't live in hives and don't swarm.
But won't I get stung?
No! Because solitary bees don't have anything to protect they have no reason to be aggressive, making them safe to encourage around children and pets.
Will wasps move in?
Bee Brick isn't the kind of habitat that wasps are looking to nest in. You may find solitary wasps around the Bee Brick but these are really good pollinators too and not aggressive.
Why should I care about bees?
Pollinators, including solitary bees, are responsible for a third of all food we eat because of the vital pollination work they carry out.
Which bees will I spot in the Bee Brick?
The main species you will find nesting in the Bee Brick are red mason and leafcutter bees. We have also had reports of Wool Carder bees occasionally. These are the main cavity nesting solitary bee species.
Where should I put my Bee Brick?
Bee Brick needs to be positioned in a warm, sunny, preferably south facing spot with nothing blocking the fascias. Ideally at least 1 metre from ground level with no upward limit.
When should I put my Bee Brick out?
If you're placing your Bee Brick out for the first time you should try and have it in place around early April, as the first bees start to emerge and begin looking for nesting space.
How does Bee Brick work?
Bee Bricks are inspired by the way bees have historically nested in crumbling mortar work and old hedgerows and walls. Cast cavities of varying sizes create a space for them to nest. A female bee will lay her egg in the nest, provision it with nectar and pollen, partition it with chewed mud or leaf depending on the species, and she will repeat this multiple times in a nest. Once she has finished nesting she will die and the following year the offspring will emerge to repeat the cycle.
How will I know if there are bees in my Bee Brick?
You will be able to spot nesting activity because you will see a plug at the front of a cavity in the Bee Brick or Bee Block, either of chewed mud or chewed leaf to identify species.
How can I get bees in my Bee Brick?
Unfortunately, there's no magic here, just patience and tending your garden and outside area in a wildlife friendly way. Build it and they will come, hopefully! As it's the kind of space they are looking to nest in, if there are solitary bees about then the chances are that they will nest in your Bee Brick.
Do I need to clean the Bee Brick out?
There are different schools of thought on this and not masses of research to date. We recommend that if you do want to clean the Bee Brick you do so in October time when you know that nests are either failed or not re-used and use a tent peg and a pipe cleaner to clean the nest, or a cotton bud even.
Do I need to do anything to help the bees?
Bee Bricks and other bee houses will only work if there's a food source for bees nearby. Therefore it's really important to consider how you look after your garden; grow some bee-friendly plants, avoid chemicals, and if you can then leave a little patch to grow a bit wild. In warm, dry weather it's also good to leave some water out for them, a 'bee bath' as it were, making sure it's not too deep and that there are stones etc they can stand on.
Do I have to build with the Bee Brick?
No. Whilst the innovation of Bee Brick is the fact that you can build with them they also look lovely just stood in the garden. They can be placed on a shelf, wall, hedge, bracket, anywhere that suits the height and orientation mentioned above.
If I do build with them do they need special treatment?
No. Bee Bricks can simply be used in place of a standard house brick and installed in the same way.
Where can I buy them?
You can buy Bee Brick on our website right here, other products from our bee range here and also from selected stockists, check out our stockist map to find your nearest.
How much do they cost?
A Bee Brick is £27.50 for a single brick. You can contact us for bulk discounts.
4 comments
Hi I have a old house with old 3" red clay bricks and already have mason bees in the mortar and am looking to encourage the bees out of the mortar in to a brick and am wondering if you have a 3" bricks
Does the back of the brick need to be closed off or against a solid surface? Can people in the US get bricks from you or any of your US colleagues? Thanks.
Hello, we are at the early stages of planning a home renovation. The walls we are creating will face east or west (roughly). I do like the idea of using multiple bee bricks – is this of value ecologically bearing in mind the directions are walls face? Do you have images of builds with multiple bee bricks? And roughly what sort of bulk discount can you offer? Many thanks in advance
Have bee bricks being used in commercial apartments developments in UK and has there being an assessments of species being carried out.