Wild bees are important pollinators and play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Insect-friendly gardens can help improve the habitat for wild bees. We spoke with the Product Manager at RICOTER about the collaboration between Wildbiene+Partner and RICOTER.

How did the collaboration for a wild bee sand come about?

"Ricoter had the idea of a wild bee sand for some time, but lacked the expertise to produce a suitable sand. In collaboration with Wildbiene + Partner, the perfect mixing ratio was found and tested in a practical trial. The trials were supervised by Wildbiene + Partner: During several field visits, the nests dug by wild bees or other ground-nesting insects, such as solitary wasps, were counted. The subsequent evaluation of the data showed us which mixing ratio was best suited for the wild bee sand."

What actually distinguishes wild bee sand from conventional sand?

"Wild bee sand must on the one hand be loose enough, and on the other hand, it is crucial that the sand binds well and thus remains stable even when dry. This is important so that dug nesting tunnels do not collapse when dry. Conventional sand, which is used as play sand, is washed sand. This no longer binds when dry."

What all is needed to build a sand lens with wild bee sand?

"A dry and sunny location is particularly important for building a sand lens. A pit is dug (depth from 30 cm) and the bottom is lined with a drainage layer of field stones and coarse gravel. The wild bee sand can then be placed directly on the drainage layer. When installing, care must be taken to compact the wild bee sand beforehand. Form a mound of approx. 30 cm height with the wild bee sand and lightly press down the sand on the surface. Plant the surroundings of the sand lens with wild perennials or create a wildflower meadow. In addition, deadwood, rootstocks, branches or stone lenses can promote other insects or even reptiles." In this video, there is a step-by-step guide on how to create a home for ground-nesting wild bees with the sand.

Can I only do this in the garden or are there also solutions for the balcony?

"For the balcony, we recommend creating a small wild bee paradise in pots or balcony boxes. Simply create a thin drainage layer of gravel there, analogous to the sand lens in the garden, and then compact the wild bee sand."

How did your customers react to the Wild Bee Sand?

"We receive numerous positive responses for the Wild Bee Sand and notice that a wide variety of people are interested in it. Not only municipalities or local nature conservation associations use the Wild Bee Sand – the product is also used in private gardens, and people engage with the importance of a natural garden, where natural cycles play a central role, in the process."

How can we raise awareness for the protection of wild bees and their habitats and encourage more people to become actively involved?

"The product builds a bridge to the natural garden, where people suddenly start to engage with natural cycles and become sensitized to them. If we succeed in demonstrating the necessity of wild bees for ecosystem services such as the pollination of fruit trees and cultivated plants, people will see wild bees with completely different eyes. Wild bees are perfectly suited for observation in one's own garden and thus become an experience for young and old. By associating positive experiences with wild bees, people are encouraged to actively promote and protect them."