Flow Pollinator House

The Flow Pollinator House provides space for and encourages differing pollinator species to take up residence in your garden.

Unlike European honey bees, the majority of bee species worldwide are actually solitary nesters who require and seek out a cosy home to nest in.

Different types of pollinators require different types of homes. Cavity-nesting bees use hollow plant stems or holes in wood for laying their eggs. These solitary bees do not have queens or workers, nor do they store any honey in their tiny nests. In addition to nesting, some species like to hibernate over winter and are on the lookout for sheltered spaces with plant matter as insulation.

Our Flow Pollinator House aims to replicate these ideal nesting conditions for the dual purpose of supporting these incredible insects whilst your garden reaps the rewards of their residence.

Not all species nest in a pollinator house like this. There are plenty of other ways you can help support solitary nesters, such as making holes in mud for the blue-banded bee, or drilling holes in wood. You can go to town creating pollinator zones in your garden. Find some great tips for creating your own pollinator house here.

Finding an area which is bathed in gentle sunlight (which solitary bees love) and is protected from prevailing winds, tall weeds and other animals is ideal. Optimally the house should be facing between the north and east in the Southern Hemisphere, and between south and west in the Northern Hemisphere, in a position which doesn’t get too hot, and is 1 metre off the ground but no higher than 2 metres.

Add your own unique home renovations such as dried leaves, grass or crumpled cardboard to the roof of your Flow Pollinator House to further diversify its appeal to different species. Selecting a position which is already attracting insects, either a garden bed with flowers, a pond or an area with some trees will help to encourage vacancies in your pollinator house to fill up quickly.

Don’t forget to provide access to plenty of forage and water for your pollinators.

Our Flow Pollinator House was developed out of a desire to find a way to repurpose our Flow Hive offcuts and unused wooden panels, whilst at the same time creating a habitat for these important little pollinators.

Crafted from sustainably sourced western red cedar, the Pollinator House has been manufactured using precision laser cutting from salvaging timber panels and offcuts from the production of our Flow Hive 2+.

Don't be surprised if you find a handle or Flow logo on the timber panels – we love the uniqueness this adds to each individual house.

Bamboo inserts have been sustainably sourced, making for deluxe pollinator suites.

There is so much we can do to support pollinators! Here are some great tips for creating a bee-friendly garden mindfully:

Avoid pesticides. Companion planting is the way to go if you want to control pests. Pesticides are one of the reasons bee populations are in decline.

If you have room, plant flowering plants in bountiful clumps so bees don’t have to search far for forage and can work more efficiently.

Plant several species to ensure you have forage for every season.

Maintain multiple water sources around your garden.

Spread the word among your neighbours, family and friends, the more people you can encourage to look after your neighbourhood the greater your impact will be collectively.

Check out our Bee-Friendly Gardening fact sheet for more information about gardening mindfully for pollinators.