Pollinator Support Prototypes

Mason bees and leafcutter bees require tunnels to nest in, which in a normal environment would be either cavities of dead branches or hollow and pithy plant stems, but in well manicures lawns and gardens, these things are not usually available. Creating a "bee hotel" is a good way to attract a wider variety of bees to a garden, and it could be a good community craft that does not take a high level of skill to create. Bamboo or reeds are a good option for creating hollow tunnels but other plant species have hollow stems such as sunflower, wild rose, honeysuckle, or sumac, allowing for flexibility with available resources.

Ideally, this should be set up in an area with broad-leafed vegetation getting misted since hummingbirds are attracted to the reflection of the droplets on the leaves, and use the mist for bathing. Hummingbirds prefer running water over still water, especially mist, so this provides optimal opportunity for attracting hummingbirds. Additionally, the regular portion of the birdbath will also serve as a place for regular birds to bathe. The misting attachment simply screws onto the end of a regular garden hose, thus cutting down on specialty materials needed to be purchased to create this prototype.

This prototype also only works to its fullest extent if it is placed on bare soil, as the misting device will wet the soil and allow sea salt to be mixed into it to create a salt lick for butterflies to use, as they need minerals in their diet alongside the nectar from flowers. The dish above the water could have a flexible amount of uses, but it could be used to hold fruit scraps, which also attract butterflies and the occasional moth or bat if left out overnight. Note that this may be an attraction for pests like raccoons or opossum.