1. Start Early

Native cavity-dwelling bees emerge from their winter slumber at different times of the year, and it’s important to have bee hotels installed before they do. Many types of native bees hatch between April and May, but this is highly temperature-dependent. Bees may emerge earlier if the weather is warm. To ensure bee hotels are available when needed, install bee houses of any sort before springtime temperatures rise above 50 to 55°F.

2. Choose a Sunny Location

Bees are “cold-blooded” creatures that rely on the sun for warmth. However, they can overheat if their houses are positioned in the wrong spot. When selecting a location for your bee hotel, choose a sheltered area that’s protected from strong winds and rain but receives full sun in the morning.

Positioning bee hotels in a south- or east-facing direction should maximize sun exposure and help bees warm up and emerge sooner. In a hot climate, however, bee houses should be located in spots with morning sun and light afternoon shade.

3. Ensure Flowers Are Nearby

The surroundings of a bee house are also important. Bee houses should be positioned within 300 feet of an easy food source. If you have a bee lawn, mini meadow, pollinator garden, or flower garden, or veggie bed with flowering plants like squash and melons, install your bee house nearby so bees don't need to fly far to find food.

Positioning bee houses near a landmark, like a shed or large tree, will also make it easier for bees to navigate to and from their “home.”

4. Provide Nesting Materials

Cavity-dwelling bees use bee hotels as nesting sites for their young. They place an egg and pollen inside each bee house hole or tube. Then they cap the tube off with mud or leaf debris.

To ensure bees have the nesting materials they need for this process, make sure your bee hotel is located within 50 feet of a patch of mud or bare soil. Letting your garden hose slowly drip in this area or attaching a misting attachment to your hose will create the perfect patch of mud for bees to use to build their nests.

5. Hang Houses at the Right Height

Hang the house at least 3 feet above the ground, mounting it on a pole, post, wall of a shed, tall garden fence, or sturdy tree trunk. Installing bee houses at this height helps to keep them dry, but it also discourages ants and other insects and wildlife that may feed on developing bee larvae.

6. Secure Houses Well

Store-bought bee houses typically have hangers or holes on the back for mounting, but you may need to add wire hangers to DIY bee hotels before you install them. Either way, bee hotels of any sort should be secured firmly to a flat, solid surface that doesn’t sway in the breeze. Installing houses beneath an overhanging roofline helps keep the bee homes dry. Another way to protect bees from moisture issues is to install bee hotels at a slightly downward-facing angle.

7. Skip the Pesticides

Pesticides, including organic products, can harm non-target species, including native bees. That’s why it’s best to keep your garden as chemical-free as possible if your goal is to attract and support native bees and other beneficial insects. Instead of relying on chemical treatments, try hand-picking pests off vegetable plants, or thwart garden marauders with fruit protection bags, floating row covers, and pest-repelling companion plants.

8. Add Predator Deterrents

Installing bee houses at least 3 feet off the ground will deter some predators. To keep baby bees even safer from squirrels, woodpeckers, and other insect-eating critters, consider installing chicken wire or hardware cloth over the front of your bee house if it doesn’t come with a predator guard.

9. Install Multiple Houses

Different species of native bees use nesting cavities of different sizes. To make your yard appealing to a wide variety of bees, install several bee houses with nesting holes of varying sizes. Spacing houses out in different areas throughout your garden will provide more nesting spots for bees and will also reduce the risk that potential bee diseases and pests spread from one bee house to another.

10. Protect Bees in Winter

Though it's possible to leave bee houses and hotels outdoors all year-round, it exposes developing bees to extreme cold and predators. If possible, move bee houses into a cool and sheltered spot for the winter, such as an unheated garage or potting shed. Then, reinstall the bee houses back outside in spring before temperatures rise above 55°F. Clean the bee houses thoroughly and replace the nesting tubes (if you cannot remove the nesting tubes, replace the bee house after one season) to ensure the houses are ready for the next generation of bees.