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How to Make a Bee Lining Box

Bees fly in a straight line to and from their hives, hence the term "making a bee line." Bee lining is a method of tracking bees to their hive through the study of the bees' flight pattern. A bee lining box is set in an area where bees can find it, then you can watch to see which direction the bees fly from the box. Once the first line of flight is found, the bee lining box is moved to a second location along the line of flight and the process is repeated to help trace the approximate location of the hive. The shorter the time it takes for the bees to return to the box, the closer you are to finding the hive.

Things You'll Need

1 piece scrap wood, at least 4 inches by 4 inches by 6 inches
1 quart water
1 tablespoon bleach
Cotton ball
Drill
Drill bit, 5/16-inch
Nail
Hammer

Instructions

Preparation
- 1
  Prepare a piece of untreated scrap wood that is at least 4 inches wide, 4 inches high and 6 inches long to be used for your bee lining box.
- 2
  Mix a solution using 1 quart of water and 1 tablespoon of bleach. Mix the solution well.
- 3
  Pour the solution onto a cotton ball and lightly swab the entire piece of wood with the solution to help keep mites from the box.
Construction
- 4
  Designate a side to be the front of your bee box, with the length of the wood kept vertical. Use a drill and a 5/16-inch drill bit to drill holes into the wood.
- 5
  Begin drilling holes into the front of the block of wood at least one-inch apart. Do not drill completely through to the other side. Allow one inch of space from the edges of the wood as well.
- 6
  Flip the bee box over on its back side and drill a hole approximately 1/2-inch in diameter near the top of the box. Be sure you are not drilling into an existing hole from the front side.
Hanging
- 7
  Find an area of your yard or woods to hang your bee box. Place the box in the bough of a tree or hang the box on the end of a sturdy tree branch.
- 8
  Set the bee box on an outdoor table, or attach it to a fence post or an outbuilding if there are no nearby trees that are suitable. Place a nail in the post or outbuilding and hang the box from the hole on its back side.
- 9
  Cut a piece of chicken wire the length and width of the bee box if nearby birds could be a danger to the bees. (See Reference 2) Attach the chicken wire with nails or screws along the edges of the box.

Insects & Science