We have recently welcomed very special guests at Aletto Hotel Potsdamer Platz to be able to greet. A few weeks ago, an insect hotel for wild bees was set up in our hotel garden to help preserve biodiversity in Berlin. But what is that anyway?

‍

What is a wild bee hotel and why do we have one?

What is a wild bee hotel?

A wild bee hotel is an artificially created nesting and wintering aid for - who would have thought otherwise - wild bees. There are almost 600 different species living in Germany alone, which have very different nesting needs. About a third of them nest in plant stems or dead wood. That is why our wild bee hotel offers exactly these structures to offer a comfortable stay to as many species as possible — just like aletto.

Why do bees need a hotel?

In addition to nesting options, the right supply of food is crucial; after all, bees also growl their stomachs. We are currently planning to plant our garden with bee-friendly native plants that are rich in nectar and bloom for a long time. In doing so, we are creating a suitable habitat for wild bees, which is unfortunately missing in many parts of densely populated Berlin.

How did the hotel get into our garden?

Nature and environmental protection are important values at aletto, and corresponding commitment is also important to our employees. Following an internal suggestion, our management was also impressed. Where, if not at Aletto, would be the perfect place for a wild bee hotel? Through contact with German Wildlife Foundation Berlin We were given expert advice to choose both the right place and a suitable model of nesting aid. In doing so, we found that our house on Potsdamer Platz is significantly better suited as a location for the insect hotel than our hotel on Kudamm. In particular, the distance to the nearest green areas was decisive here. In addition to the Wildlife Foundation, the workshop of LebenswerkGemeinschaft From Berlin into the game. It builds first-class and species-appropriate insect hotels and has already set up several of them in Berlin. The association is a social enterprise that supports people with disabilities in various areas and also directly employs them. Thanks to the wonderful collaboration, we were able to implement the project smoothly and open our third hotel in Berlin!

‍

‍

Why are wild bees so important?

Not all bees are the same

Wild bees play a crucial role in our ecosystem. In contrast to the more well-known honey bees, which live in swarms and produce honey loved by many, 90% of wild bees live individually. They build their nest alone and care for their offspring without the help of conspecifics. Even on the outside, wild bees do not always look the same and are in some cases very different from their honey-producing relatives.

The story of bees and flowers

Wild bees are excellent pollinators. Various plants even rely on them specifically, as honeybees, for example, cannot pollinate every flower. Wild bees are responsible for the pollination of 88% of all wild plants and 70% of the most important crops worldwide! As a result, they directly influence 35% of global food production. In addition to the general importance of maintaining plant diversity, these hard-working helpers also provide many ingredients on our dining table. Unfortunately, wild bees are severely endangered as their habitat is becoming increasingly scarce, particularly within cities.

Threatening and protecting wild bees

Wild bees are protected, which is why it is forbidden to catch, injure or kill them. The biggest enemy of wild bees, as well as of many other species, is the loss of their habitat due to constantly growing agriculture and development. Of the almost 300 bee species in Berlin, 40% are listed as endangered. It is an alarming development that shows how important it is to commit to protecting these fascinating and vital insects.

Are wild bees dangerous?

Most wild bees are extremely peaceful contemporaries. In principle, wild bees can also sting, but only the largest species are even able to penetrate human skin. As insects that live alone, they have no reason to be aggressive, because they do not defend a colony and must ensure their own safety. Children can therefore watch the hustle and bustle of our nesting aid without fear and thus learn more about these busy bees in the truest sense of the word.

How can you tell whether the wild bee hotel is occupied?

When a nest is covered, the female wild bee closes the opening with materials such as clay, resin or small stones. Take a close look at the nesting aid and you'll see that some holes are open while others are closed. In fact, every single entrance is virtually a multi-bed room. The females lay not just one egg in one opening, but several. Once an egg is laid, the segment is closed and the next egg is laid behind the wall.

‍

‍

What kind of wild bee tuna can you do?

We can all do something to help wild bees! Especially if you have a garden or balcony, you can help the bees. There are many native plant species that are often visited by wild bees. The German Wildlife Foundation Berlin has a Overview of suitable plants created — from meadow plants to representatives that fit on the window sill. As a result, bees are already very helpful in their search for food. If you have enough space, you can of course also set up your own hotel for wild bees. Whether you buy a finished product or make one yourself is of course up to you. There are just a few factors you should pay attention to. On the one hand, choosing the correct materials is crucial. Insect hotels are often offered that contain pine cones, straw or much more. Since a large proportion of bees prefer the dead wood tubes mentioned above, we can recommend bamboo tubes, for example. If these are installed in various sizes, they already cover a large proportion of bees. On the other hand, you should make sure that your hotel is not in the shade. Bees, just like many of the suitable plants, love the sun and prefer to do so all day long.

Our wild bee hotel as a sign of promoting diversity and environmental protection

At Aletto, we see the Promoting diversity as a central point of our corporate philosophy. We employ colleagues from over 25 nations who make our team what it is. But of course, as a company, we also see our Responsibility towards nature and the environment and make our work processes sustainable accordingly. For example, we prefer to cooperate with regional partners and continuously reduce our emissions through a modern energy management system. We are also always interested in supporting various projects that are committed to nature and the common good. We are therefore more than happy about the cooperation with the Lebenswerkgemeinschaft, which built and set up this beautiful wild bee hotel for us, as well as for the expert advice provided by the German Wildlife Foundation Berlin.