The Bee Nest Project - Pt. 1

This was originally a post made for my blog back in February 2016

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This morning I finally got hold of some hay. Don't ask how much I spent... It was almost extortionate. Anyway, I now have it so I can now get on with my bee project.

Point of fact. Originally I was going to use a set of plans from Gardeners World but I found a better one. Link to part 1... Link to part 2. This is the one I will be using for this so have a quick look at it before reading on.

Ok? Good... Moving on. In the featured image above you can see the materials I used.

2 x  9" (23cm) Terracotta pots.
2 x 12" (30cm) long pipes
2 nails that are longer than the pipe is wide
An old wire bin
A small bale of hay
A smaller, heavily cracked pot to use for the roof of the nest
2 old muslin bags (Not shown because I'm a moron)

Holes drilled into a pot

I took the large pots and drilled 3 holes into each to make the air holes. I then gave them a really good wash and scrub and left them on the side to dry off so I can attach the muslin squares later on.

BTW... It's worth pointing out that drilling into terracotta pots produces amazing amounts of dust. Wear old clothes and a face mask because you ARE going to make a mess!

pipe with a slug stopper

I then took the pipes and nails and banged them together to produce what you see above. This is the slug guard. I then turned the pipe over and drilled in some very small holes so that any water can escape.

It's worth noting that you should use the bend in the pipe to your advantage. The pipe will sit better in the ground with the curve up, so rather than force the pipe into a new shape put your slug bar and drain holes on the outer part of the curve.

An old bin

I then took the old bin and cut it up using a pair of snips. (Bonus points to anyone who got the joke there!)

I will cut the wire to shape tomorrow when I know where it is going. I don't want to keep bending it if I can avoid it.

I would have done more today but the pots refused to dry off and then it started raining... *sigh*

I hope to do more tomorrow. While I don't need the weather to be dry I do need the pots to be dry or the glue to hold the muslin in place just won't work. I will post again when I get it done.

Part two will be along soon. 

#Bees #Nature #Wildlife #BeeHive #Project