Nesting ecology, management and population genetics of bumblebees: an integrated approach to the conservation of an endangered pollinator taxon.

Published source details Lye G. (2009) Nesting ecology, management and population genetics of bumblebees: an integrated approach to the conservation of an endangered pollinator taxon. PhD. Stirling University.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Provide artificial nest sites for bumblebees Action Link
	Provide nest boxes for bees (solitary bees or bumblebees) Action Link

Provide artificial nest sites for bumblebees

Lye (2009) tested six different bumblebee nest box designs in gardens and farmland in England and Scotland: aerial wicker nest boxes (120), dug holes covered with concrete slabs or upturned flower pots (100 each), semi‐underground wooden nest boxes (100), wooden surface boxes (26) and a buried nest box design made with two pairs of flower pots placed mouth to mouth (170). She found very low uptake rates of 0‐2% for all designs except the underground flowerpot design, which incorporated drainage, ventilation and a 30 cm entrance pipe. For this design, 2% of 150 were used on Scottish farmland, but 40% (eight of 20) of those put out in an English botanic garden supported bumblebee colonies. Two of 20 aerial wicker nest boxes (10%) were occupied at the same site and one of 100 placed at a site in Scotland.
Provide nest boxes for bees (solitary bees or bumblebees)

A replicated trial in 2008 (Lye 2009) of 150 underground bumblebee Bombus spp. nest boxes on Scottish farmland found very low uptake rates. Just 2% of 150 were used. The boxes were made with two pairs of flower pots placed mouth to mouth, buried in the ground. Fifteen underground boxes were placed on each of 10 farms in March and April.