The talented bunch from Fermanagh Men’s Shed – based at Action Mental Health’s New Horizons service in Drumcoo, Enniskillen – have been working with David Bolton from the Fermanagh Beekeepers Association to produce wooden bee boxes.
The boxes are made to tried and trusted dimensions to provide just the right accommodation for the bees. The “Shedders” have also created a detachable top and front on each box. The aim is to increase the population of wild bees in Fermanagh and in doing so to increase the population of pollinators in the county. The boxes will be monitored remotely using a device similar to those used in shipping containers to record the internal humidity and temperature. This means that it will be possible to detect when a swarm of bees arrives and takes up residence in the boxes and when they leave! The boxes will be strapped to trees at a height of about 10 – 15 m above the ground with a recording device secured inside. Then it’s just a matter of waiting for the bees to arrive and decide to move in.
David Lowe of the Men’s Shed said –
“this has been a great project to be part of and has kept the woodworkers in our Shed busy during Covid! We are looking forward to hearing how the bees of Fermanagh like their new accommodation!
Men’s Shed is a project for men aged 50+ to share skills, socialise and connect with their wider community. Action Mental Health run 3 Sheds in Steeple Antrim, Downpatrick and Fermanagh, for more information visit here.
