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Sweden‘s McDonald’s are creating a buzz by converting billboards into bee hotels

4 min read

Inspiring People
Source: YouTube/McDonald’sSweden

McDonald’s in Sweden is helping the country’s struggling bee population with bee “hotels” embedded on the back of roadside advertising hoardings.

SWEDEN’S MCDONALD’S BILLBOARDS DOUBLE AS BEE HOTELS

In May, McDonald’s Sweden celebrated World Bee Fay by building the ‘World’s Smallest McDonald’s’ — a miniature replica of its golden arches that doubles up as a beehive. Its latest initiative goes one step further, converting McDonald’s billboards into tiny ‘Bee Hotels’.

The campaign, launched in conjunction with outdoor-advertising giant JC Decaux, debuted this month on the reverse of a north-facing billboard in Jarfalla, about 20 minutes from downtown Stockholm. (Apparently bees prefer hives that face south or southeast.)
“Always Open” The campaign, launched in conjunction with outdoor-advertising giant JC Decaux, debuted this month on the reverse of a north-facing billboard in Jarfalla, about 20 minutes from downtown Stockholm. (Apparently bees prefer hives that face south or southeast.) Source: YouTube/McDonald’sSvierge

McDonald’s Sweden hopes to scale up the number of boards hotels in spring 2020.

"Without pollination from bees, a third of the food we eat would be threatened," read a statement from McDonald’s Sweden. But at least 30 percent of the country’s wild bee population is at risk, the fast-food chain adds. "A big problem is that they lack places to live." The company hopes to scale up the number of boards hotels in spring 2020.

Holes drilled in the words
An English-language promo video was posted on the McDonald’s Sweden YouTube channel Holes drilled in the words “Always open” provide access to wooden installations on the sign’s reverse, homes for “thousands of wild guests” Source: YouTube/McDonald’sSvierge
Some restaurants have also opened their own bee hotels by installing permanent wood installations with drilled holes in the copy (‘Always open’) where wild bees and other insects can make themselves comfortable
All McDonald’s franchisees across Sweden have the opportunity to order their own bee hotel boards and customise the messaging. Some restaurants have also opened their own bee hotels by installing permanent wood installations with drilled holes in the copy (‘Always open’) where wild bees and other insects can make themselves comfortable Source: YouTube/McDonald’sSvierge
The McHive was designed and built by award winning set designer Nicklas Nilsson. It was auctioned off on 21 May during a charity fund raiser for Ronald McDonald house charites and sold for over $10,000.
The McHive – a fully functioning beehive – The McHive was designed and built by award winning set designer Nicklas Nilsson. It was auctioned off on 21 May during a charity fund raiser for Ronald McDonald house charites and sold for over $10,000. Source: NORDDDB.com
Billboard Bee Hotels in SwedenSource: YouTube/McDonald’sSvierge

Bee hotels come in all shapes and sizes

Not all bees live in colonies or build hives in which to live and nest. Many bee species are solitary; they live alone and build their nests in tiny places like hollow stems and holes in wood. Though they do not make honey, solitary bees are absolutely necessary as pollinators of crops and flowers. These bees are usually very docile and peaceful, very reluctant to sting. Bee hotels are a great way to attract more of these beneficial pollinators into your garden while helping to give the bees a habitat that will aid in boosting their declining populations.  

What are bee hotels?

A bee hotel contains materials that bees like to nest in, like wood drilled with holes, hollow bamboo stalks, and other materials that mimic the bees’ natural nesting areas. A bee hotel can contain a huge variety of materials, or just a few, and can be large and elaborate or small and simple. Size really doesn’t matter, since each bee really only needs one hole in which to nest.

Building bee habitats like this is obviously beneficial to garden plants and to bee populations in general, but they also look really cool! Here are a few examples to perhaps inspire you to create your very own bee hotel.

Source: OffGridWorld

This would be a great way to upcycle some old pallets, and the living roof could be planted with annual flowers to give the bees a convenient food source.
This gorgeous bee house features tons of different materials with lots of space for insects, complete with a living roof and chimney. This would be a great way to upcycle some old pallets, and the living roof could be planted with annual flowers to give the bees a convenient food source. Source: greenerplaces.co.uk
Bricks and pieces of cinder block make perfect spaces for extra holes and bamboo stalks Source: sav-überlingen.de
This would be another fun DIY project using upcycled pallets, bricks, wood, and other materials you might already have lying around your property.
Larger habitats like this one can include areas for other small creatures like butterflies, amphibians, and ladybugs. This would be another fun DIY project using upcycled pallets, bricks, wood, and other materials you might already have lying around your property. Source: MetropolitanFieldGuide
A terracotta pot, some bamboo canes, and raffia are all you need to make this little hanging bee hotel.
Here’s a great example of just how simple and inexpensive making a bee hotel can be. A terracotta pot, some bamboo canes, and raffia are all you need to make this little hanging bee hotel. Source: HGTV
This adorable little cinder block house is a great example of how you can make one out of scrap materials, and it takes up very little space.
A bee hotel does not have to be large or elaborate. This adorable little cinder block house is a great example of how you can make one out of scrap materials, and it takes up very little space. Source: littleecofootprints.com
Make an Impact

How to build a hotel for wild bees: help out your local bee population by building them a place to nest

Homeowners can do something to give native bees, which are among nature's most important pollinators, a helping hand by creating special nesting sites. Bee hotels make ideal sites because they are easy to build and will accommodate lots of different species of bees. Here is a guide, with tips and advice.