Did you know that you can also get creative with Straw by Straw reed straws? In this blog post, we'd like to inspire you to craft with reed straws and make a bee hotel.
This way, you ensure that you use the straws in a truly circular manner! Not only does this contribute to biodiversity, but it's also a fun and educational activity for children and for yourself or your colleagues. Discover how you can create a beautiful bee hotel with reed straws in a few simple steps and how this contributes to a more sustainable world.
How do you make a bee hotel with reed straws?
Making a bee hotel with reed straws is a simple process. Here are the steps you can follow:
Step 1: Gather materials
To start, you'll need a number of reed straws. We have sorted reed straws into 2 different diameter groups: 6-8 mm and 9-11 mm. For crafting straws into a bee hotel, we recommend the 6-8 mm straws. Note: these straws are primarily intended for use with your drinks; we recommend collecting and rinsing the straws after use so you can make a bee hotel with them. In addition to environmentally friendly straws, you'll need a frame in which to place the straws. This frame can be made from various materials, such as wood or bamboo. Make sure the frame is sturdy enough to support the straws.
Step 2: Prepare the straws
Once you've collected the straws, it's important to bundle them well. The straws come in different sizes and diameters; it's important that the straws are long enough to fit in the frame. Do you have our 15 cm reed straws? Then choose a frame with a height of 15 cm. Do you have 20 cm reed straws? Then choose a matching size.
It's also important to create a closed end at the back of the straws so that the bees' eggs can't fall out of the straws. This can be done by sealing the back of your wooden frame with a wooden board, or by sealing the straws at the back. A wooden board is the easiest option.
Step 3: Place the straws in the frame
Now you can place the straws in the frame. Make sure the straws are firmly in the frame and stay in place. You can arrange the straws in different ways, for example by placing them all next to each other or by stacking them in different layers. The most important thing is that there's enough space between the straws so that the bees have easy access to their nest.
Step 4: Hang the bee hotel
When the bee hotel is ready, you can hang it somewhere protected from wind and rain. A sunny and sheltered spot is best. Make sure the bee hotel hangs at a height where you can easily reach it to clean or replace the straws.
In addition to the straws, you can also add other bee-friendly materials to the bee hotel. These can be pieces of wood, bamboo sticks, or reed stems. These materials provide additional nesting opportunities for different types of bees.
Why is a bee hotel important?
A bee hotel provides a safe and protected environment for wild bees to lay their eggs and for their larvae to grow. Wild bees play an important role in pollinating plants, which is essential for the reproduction and growth of many crops. By creating a bee hotel with reed straws, you're helping to preserve the bee population and promote biodiversity.
What's circular about reed straws?
The use of reed straws is an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic straws and a sturdier alternative to paper straws. Reed straws grow in nature. After you've used the straws for your drinks, you can craft them into a bee hotel or insect hotel, thus using the straws in a circular manner.
At Straw by Straw, you can find reed straws! Buy these reed straws through the webshop or at one of these sales points: Hanos, Bidfood, Sligro & Scanwic.
