Solitary bees are among the most effective pollinators in urban ecosystems—quietly at work in our gardens, parks, and green spaces. Unlike honeybees, solitary bees do not live in hives or colonies. Instead, each female creates and provisions her own nest, often in small cavities in soil, wood, or plant stems. But as natural nesting sites become scarce in cities, Neftaly is exploring how urban infrastructure itself can help fill the gap.
Our research focuses on how built environments—from walls and rooftops to street furniture and construction materials—can serve as alternative nesting habitats for solitary bee species.
Urban Structures as Bee Habitat:
- Wall Crevices and Cracks: Brick walls and stonework often provide small, sheltered spaces ideal for cavity-nesting bees.
- Exposed Soil and Gaps: Unsealed joints in pavement or compacted earth can support ground-nesting species.
- Green Roofs and Walls: These vegetated structures can be designed to include nesting substrates like sandy soils or hollow plant stems.
- Manmade Features: Drainage holes, fence posts, and even holes in concrete can attract bees looking for nesting spots.
Neftaly’s Initiatives:
- Habitat Mapping: Identifying where and how bees are using urban infrastructure for nesting across diverse city environments.
- Bee-Friendly Design Guidelines: Working with architects, landscape designers, and planners to integrate nesting opportunities into new developments.
- Artificial Nesting Structures: Installing and studying bee hotels, mud walls, and other enhancements to support solitary bee populations.
- Public Education: Raising awareness about the role of solitary bees and how residents can support them—even on balconies or small patios.
By reimagining urban infrastructure as part of the ecological fabric of the city, Neftaly is helping to ensure that solitary bees have the resources they need to thrive. These overlooked pollinators are essential to urban biodiversity and food production—and they deserve a place in our shared spaces.