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MNA Citizens can register through an online form and be entered into a randomized draw to receive a Bee Kit as a Native Bee Conservation Program participant. The registration form typically opens early in the new year, around February.

1. Installing your bee nesting box on your property in the spring (ideally by early May)
2. Planting the provided native wildflowers on your property to provide the bees with a food source (or have wildflowers of your own available)
3. Cleaning your bee nesting box each year so that it stays safe for future bee residents
4. Filling out an online form to report back on the native bee activity in your area and your participation in the program each year

Yes! Lots of participants have told us that everyone in their family participates in and enjoys the program. For example, deciding where to install the box, planting the wildflower seeds, and checking on the bee nesting box throughout the season can all be family-friendly activities. In general, most of our native bee species are quite docile (yes, they can sting—but often don’t) and should not be too bothered by your presence.  Just give them their space.

We would love for all Citizens to be able to participate in this program; however, funding limitations only allow for so many Bee Kits to be prepared each year, so we take the following measures to keep the program as fair as possible:

• We use a randomized draw to select program participants each year
• Only one person from each household (same physical address) can register to participate, meaning that each family has the same chance of being selected, no matter the size
• Each person and a single household are eligible to receive a Bee Kit once

The short answer is no! We will provide a variety of guides and resources to help you participate in this program, learn more about bees, and identify them. You can also participate in our and use the app or desktop platform to help you identify bee species.

• Planting a variety of native flowers that are in bloom from May-September
• Providing natural nesting/overwintering habitat (cut back pithy/hollow plant stems, leaving brush piles and fallen logs, not raking your leaves in the fall or spring)
• Learning more about our native bees in Alberta
• Photographing bees and uploading your photos to community science platforms likeBumble Bee Watch(just for bumble bees) or iNaturalist

As flowers are the primary food source for all bees, you will see a wide range of bees your wildflowers. However, only “cavity” or “tunnel” nesting bees will use your bee nesting box. This particular group of bees uses cavities or tunnels (such as pithy and hollow plant stems in nature) to build their nests. They’re solitary, meaning they don’t have a colony, and are known to be quite docile. Learn more about Alberta’s native bees in our ECC Speaker Spotlight or on our Program StoryMap.

No, honeybees will not reside in your bee nesting box. Bee nesting boxes are made for “cavity” or “tunnel” nesting bees, which are solitary bees who do not have a colony, nor produce honey. Honeybees have large colonies with over 20,000 individuals (on the low side!) and not only would they simply not fit in your bee box, they prefer to build their own special structures for housing their eggs and storing honey.

There may be a variety of reasons that bees did not nest in your bee box this year:

• There were not enough food sources nearby (or building resources, i.e., mud for mason bees) when they were searching for a place to nest
• Your bee nesting box was installed too late in the season, and therefore not available when the bees were looking for a nest
• Your land provided better natural nesting options elsewhere for the bees, such as pithy/hollow plant stems, logs with burrowed tunnels, etc.
• They simply did not come across your bee nesting box

Note: Some research has shown that nesting success in artificial homes, such as bee nesting boxes, can increase over time as the box is used more!

It is very possible critters other than bees may be interested in taking up residence in your bee nesting box. Just like bees, our native wasps are also pollinators that are important to the ecosystem and generally keep to themselves. They are often seen using these structures. It’s important to know that some parasitic wasps may prey on the nests of these bees. However, the bee nesting boxes are designed to stack the odds in the bees’ favor. As for spiders, you can clear webbing from the cavities as you see them appear. Ants may be found trying to live in the box or raid it for food. Similarly to the spiders, it’s best to evict them as they appear. Cleaning your box each year will also help increase the chances of your nesting box remaining pest- and pathogen-free.

There may be a variety of reasons that your planted wildflowers did not grow:

• Some plants require cold stratification (exposure to cold and moist conditions, like winter) to germinate
• They were not given the right conditions to thrive
  • Not enough or too much sunlight
  • Not enough or too much water
  • Soil issues (drainage, temp, compaction, nutrients, etc.)
  • Not planted at the proper depth
• Unfortunately, sometimes seeds just don’t have good growing success

Here are more planting tips from the Alberta Native Plant Council.

If you are moving, you can dismount your bee box and bring it with you to re-install at your new home. However, if you decide to gift your bee box to a friend or neighbour, please let us know at environment@metis.org.