Module 3

Activity C: Pollinator Real Estate

Participants will:

• Learn about the nesting habits of various pollinators.
• Practice observation skills.

Materials & Equipment needed:

• Empty flowerpot
• 2 blocks of a soft wood, such as pine, 4" x 4" x 8" (Do not use pressure-treated wood!)
• Drill and bits from 1/8 to 3/4" in diameter
• Hollow plant stems such as bamboo in varying lengths; bamboo poles can be purchased at nurseries.
• Science Experiment Record Sheets

Getting ready:

• This activity can be done as a group or used as a take-home activity.
• Assemble materials and equipment.
• Scout around for a location near some trees and bushes that is in sunlight and won't be disturbed by pets and other kids.
• For more information on building nesting sites, visit Xerces Society's Nests for Native Bees.

Grouping

Whole group or individual take-home activity

Action:

1. If the group was able to go on a field trip and learn about the habitat of various pollinators ask them to recall some of the things they learned about pollinator nesting habits. If the group was not able to have the field experience, give a brief overview of the nesting habits of various bees and other pollinators.
   
   


Hollow pieces of stems or bamboo, cut
to varying lengths and bound together.


Pollinator "condo" — holes should not
extend all the way through the board.

2. Explain that the group is going to provide three types of nests in order to discover first-hand where pollinators like to live. Describe each type of nest:
   
   a. pile of hollow plant stems, such as bamboo, in varying lengths
   
   b. an upside-down, empty flower pot that has holes on the bottom so insects can enter and leave
   
   c. a pollinator condo made from wood. Drill 6 to 10, 6-inch-deep holes of 1/8 to 3/4-inch diameter on one side of the board. Be sure the holes don't go completely through the wood. (An adult should do the actual drilling.)



3. With the group, locate the site for the experiment and decide where to put each type of nest. Divide into three groups, each group setting up one of the experimental nests. Condos should be placed facing the sun.
   
   
4. Have groups check their section once a week and record what animals have made these houses their homes. The nesting sites should not be disturbed. They can use their field journals to record their observations each week either by writing or drawing pictures.
   
   
5. Encourage group members to research the nesting habits of native bees and other pollinators important to the area by using the library or the Internet.
   
   
6. After a few weeks hold a group discussion where the participants can share the results of their observations and answer the following questions:
   
   a. What type of animals did each house attract? Are any of these animals pollinators?
   
   b. Why do you think a certain type of animal decided to live in a certain type of house?
   
   c. How many bees or wasps are living in your condos?
   
   d. How could you make these homes even more attractive and suitable for their animal inhabitants?
   
   
7. Challenge students to watch for possible nesting areas in their yard or neighborhood and record their observations in their field journal.

Adapted from Vanishing Pollinators, a publication of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

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