My OBT

What if you spent every day looking for One Beautiful Thing?

Only the Lonely

by 18 Comments

Green and Blue

Recently, the U.K. city of Brighton & Hove made news when it announced that all new buildings more than five meters high must include some form of housing for solitary bees. Similar policies have been put into place in Dorset and Cornwall, and more municipalities are considering adding protection for solitary bees to their building guidelines. Until I read the news story, I had no idea that solitary bees were even a thing.

I have learned that solitary bees are lone bees who do not belong to a colony, though they do often nest fairly close to one another. These bee species lack a queen, do not produce honey, and have a fairly weak sting. However, they are nonetheless crucial to our planet’s health and our survival. It used to be believed that honey bees were the main supporters of crop pollination, but scientists have now learned that solitary bee species are equally responsible for pollination. Because solitary bees don’t have a hive or honey to defend, they are mostly non-aggressive, making them an ideal addition to residential buildings and gardens.

Green & Blue is a U.K.-based company that has made it really easy for homeowners, gardeners, and builders to incorporate solitary bee-friendly habitats into their spaces. The company sells bee habitats in the form of bricks, blocks, incorporated into planters and posts, and even single bee nests – called Bee Cells – making it possible for everyone to find space for at least a couple of the little habitats. They also sell bee gift kits which can include wildflower seed bombs, bee cells, and even a kid-friendly book about bees.

You can learn more about the solitary bee products sold by Green & Blue on their website, and you can follow them on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Author: Donna from MyOBT

I have committed to spending part of every day looking for at least one beautiful thing, and sharing what I find with you lovelies!

18 thoughts on “Only the Lonely”

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  1. lois
    February 4, 2022 at 8:46 am

    I had not a clue about solitary bees. Their homes are lovely, and helping nature, too? Yes, please!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  2. dawnkinster
    February 4, 2022 at 9:01 am

    I never knew anything about solitary bees. I am assuming we have them here in the states too? I need to go read up.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. onecreativefamily
    February 4, 2022 at 10:15 am

    Learn something new everyday. I’ve seen these bees around my flowers, so I will need to get hubby to make a bee house for them.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  4. bcparkison
    February 4, 2022 at 10:16 am

    great idea. Wonder if this would keep the carpenter bees from drilling into the porch?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. graceunc
    February 4, 2022 at 10:34 am

    so cool and interesting! i will search online for someplace in the US to buy a bee brick or two!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. janhaltn
    February 4, 2022 at 2:09 pm

    I join the others. I knew they were bees without queens but did not know they had names. Thanks for the info. Hal

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. Laura (PA Pict)
    February 4, 2022 at 3:14 pm

    I also did not know about solitary bees so thanks for the education. Any innovation or movement that supports and protects the ecology of our minibeasts is a winner with me.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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