Full Breakdown
The Importance of Solitary Bees and How to Support Them
4/8/2026, 10:32:42 PM
Understanding Solitary Bees
While honeybees and bumblebees are well-known, the majority of the UK's bee population consists of solitary bees, which include over 240 species such as the hairy-footed flower bee and leaf-cutter bees. These bees play a crucial role in pollination, with estimates suggesting that a single red mason bee can provide the same pollination level as 120 worker honeybees. However, solitary bees are facing significant challenges, with Buglife's annual Bugs Matter survey indicating a 19% decline in flying insects over the past five years, and a staggering 59% decline from 2021 to 2025.
Creating Habitats for Solitary Bees
To support solitary bees, it is essential to provide suitable nesting environments. Approximately 70% of solitary bees are mining bees, which burrow underground. Gardens should include warm, sunny areas with bare soil for these bees to nest. Additionally, maintaining a mix of short and longer grass can create ideal conditions for mining bees. Homeowners are encouraged to leave small piles of loose earth, known as "volcanoes," undisturbed, as these are often nests.
Building Bee Hotels
Another effective way to support solitary bees is by constructing bee hotels. These can be made from boxes filled with dry stems and placed in sheltered, sunny locations. The dimensions should be at least 12cm deep, with holes ranging from 2mm to 10mm in diameter. Proper placement and maintenance of these hotels can attract various solitary bee species, particularly red mason bees, which emerge around the same time as apple blossoms.
Planting for Pollinators
Providing food sources is equally important for solitary bees. Many species have specific relationships with native flowers. For example, large scabious mining bees thrive on field scabious, while leaf-cutter bees prefer great knapweed. Even small spaces, like window boxes, can be utilized to grow bee-friendly plants such as crocuses and pulmonaria. It is also advisable to leave dandelions untouched, as they are an early source of pollen.
Reducing Pesticide Use
A critical step in supporting solitary bees is to eliminate or reduce pesticide use. Pesticides can harm not only targeted species but also beneficial insects. Campaigning for reduced chemical use in community spaces can significantly benefit solitary bees and other wildlife. Buglife's No Insectinction campaign emphasizes the importance of changing perceptions about pests and recognizing the value of all flying insects.
Official Statements & Responses
Laura Larkin, chief conservation officer at Buglife, emphasizes the importance of solitary bees, stating, “Eliminating or reducing the use of chemicals in our outdoor spaces would be enormously beneficial.” She encourages individuals to create environments that attract these bees, noting, “If you do create places for them, they will visit, and it’s a real delight to watch them.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “They’re quite messy and just cover themselves in it,” — Laura Larkin, Chief Conservation Officer, Buglife
- “Pesticides are designed to kill, but they are often indiscriminate and harm not only their target species, but also any other insects that happen to be present,” — Laura Larkin, Chief Conservation Officer, Buglife
- “When you really get your eye in, you can sit in one spot and see so many different types of flying insects, pollinators, mining bees just visiting one patch,” — Laura Larkin, Chief Conservation Officer, Buglife
What's Next
Individuals can participate in Buglife's Bugs Matter survey by logging car journeys and counting insects that splat on their number plates. This initiative runs until September and aims to gather data on insect populations, contributing to broader conservation efforts.
