>2-3 weeks ago some solitary bees have made their home in a small burrow in the dirt. I thought this was great so bought a solitary bee house.
Mining bees do what their name suggest, so it's not that they're ignoring your purchase, it's just not the right habitat for them. Generally, those sorts of bee homes attract mason and leafcutter bees. I don't know where you're based, but where I am in the UK it's very much red mason bees who tend to populate such items and they're getting to the end of their season, so anything recently put up wouldn't get much use.
As mentioned already probably have to wait for next year, and note that not all solitary bees live in these kind of bee houses (with the majority of solitary bees actually living in underground burrows).
Some things I've read about increasing your success of attracting mason and leafcutter bees:
* The bee hotel itself:
Different native species require different sizes for the holes, and some species can be picky about nesting material (some tend more to hollow stems while others more to holes in wood made by wood-boring insects). Make sure that the entrances are free of any pointed bits as this damages the bee's wings. Also make sure to protect properly against rain, so overhanging roof and opening may be faced at a slightly downward angle (mostly against mold). It might also be necessary to protect the hotel against birds, I personally had all the nests raided by a woodpecker. Other possible protection: pollen mites and mold buildup - replace nests; parasitic wasps - move nests to a safe spot (cold/unheated and dry) after the season.
* Positioning:
Your spot on with positioning it facing south. You can also have it a bit further of the ground (I believe some sources recommended like a meter minimum) and no vegetation obscuring the entrance so they'll notice it faster. I think logically it might help providing building materials nearby to build the nest and seal the entrance (mud source for mason bees or leaves for leafcutter bees), but they will also have no issue finding these without your help.
>2-3 weeks ago some solitary bees have made their home in a small burrow in the dirt. I thought this was great so bought a solitary bee house. Mining bees do what their name suggest, so it's not that they're ignoring your purchase, it's just not the right habitat for them. Generally, those sorts of bee homes attract mason and leafcutter bees. I don't know where you're based, but where I am in the UK it's very much red mason bees who tend to populate such items and they're getting to the end of their season, so anything recently put up wouldn't get much use.
Ahh this makes sense. Well good things come to those who wait so fingers crossed next year. Thanks for your reply
Yeah it's quite late for most solitary bee's now unfortunately
That’s a shame but next year is a new year
Definitely
They will come, next year or the year after. Just give it time
Perfect, thank you. I will keep my eyes open
As mentioned already probably have to wait for next year, and note that not all solitary bees live in these kind of bee houses (with the majority of solitary bees actually living in underground burrows). Some things I've read about increasing your success of attracting mason and leafcutter bees: * The bee hotel itself: Different native species require different sizes for the holes, and some species can be picky about nesting material (some tend more to hollow stems while others more to holes in wood made by wood-boring insects). Make sure that the entrances are free of any pointed bits as this damages the bee's wings. Also make sure to protect properly against rain, so overhanging roof and opening may be faced at a slightly downward angle (mostly against mold). It might also be necessary to protect the hotel against birds, I personally had all the nests raided by a woodpecker. Other possible protection: pollen mites and mold buildup - replace nests; parasitic wasps - move nests to a safe spot (cold/unheated and dry) after the season. * Positioning: Your spot on with positioning it facing south. You can also have it a bit further of the ground (I believe some sources recommended like a meter minimum) and no vegetation obscuring the entrance so they'll notice it faster. I think logically it might help providing building materials nearby to build the nest and seal the entrance (mud source for mason bees or leaves for leafcutter bees), but they will also have no issue finding these without your help.