Animals need shelter
Shelter is essential to the survival of animals. In a natural habitat it comes in the form of rocks, leaf litter, trees, foliage, fallen logs and snags. Dead trees, also known as snags, have been removed from properties because they are thought to be unattractive and worthless. In fact, they are very important to hundreds of animals. Some of them, like various bird species, bats, and mason bees can be invited into “homemade” tree cavities that can be constructed easily.

Making a home for mason bees
Mason bees are solitary insects that are efficient pollinators. These bees are not aggressive and they can be observed at close distances. Male mason bees cannot sting while females will only sting if handled or trapped under clothing. The sting is said to be the same as a mosquito bite. Females look for a small hole in a snag to lay their eggs. Mason bees do not make their own holes. Creating holes as nesting sites for the mason bee can be an educational and simple activity for the family.

Mason Bee House Construction:
These mild-mannered bees prefer nesting in holes drilled in wood to any other material. Nesting blocks can be made using untreated lumber (2”x 4” or 4” x 4” works well). Hardwood is best as the wood fibers are less likely to lift when damp and block the hole. Holes are drilled 5/16” in diameter and distanced at centers of 3/4” apart. Drill the hole 3.5” in depth towards the back of the block. Attach overlapping roof to protect bees from the sun and rain. Placement of the mason bee house Mason bee houses should be placed at least one meter above the ground.
Mason Bee House construction (PDF 1MB)

Making a home for bumblebees
People can build artificial bumblebee nests in the form of boxes, which will attract the queen bumblebees in the spring. Placement of house is an important safety consideration.
Bumblebee House construction (PDF 1.6MB)

Making a home for bluebirds and tree swallows
Tree swallows and eastern bluebirds are friendly birds that live in harmony with people. Both species use
abandoned woodpecker holes in snags to nest and readily take boxes made for them. Bird house construction

Making a home for toads
Toads like to hide in dark damp places during the day and then come out to feed during the night. They are truly a gardener’s friend as they eat many insects that can harm plants. Place rocks, tree bark, a small plank of wood or an overturned clay pot in the garden to form a hiding spot, with about an a 3-5 cm (1-2 inch) opening for the toad to enter.

Making a home for bats
Bats eat thousands of insects per night, including mosquitoes. They like to find small warm spaces to crawl into during the day and for the female to give birth. Building a proper bat house may attract bats that will control local insect populations while you sleep. Bat house contruction

Did you know...?
Tree swallows will be delighted to be offered white feathers while building their nest. The male will swoop to pick up a feather and offer it to the female who will place it inside the birdhouse to line the nest.