DIY Beehive in a Mason Jar

Want to invite pollinators to your garden? Try this awesome DIY beehive made with mason jars!

Did you guys know that it’s National Pollinator Week? We really need to think about pollinators like bees and butterflies every week, but this week folks are paying extra special attention to these important insects. Keeping bees is one way that you can help support our food system by helping these fragile creatures thrive.

Vegan Crafter Note: If you’re vegan, keeping bees might seem like it goes against your ethics, but it doesn’t have to! Who says that you have to harvest any honey? You can keep bees just for the love of pollinators!

This project from Instructables is pretty involved, but if you’ve been wanting to get into beekeeping, it looks like a great way to get started! To make your own DIY beehive, you’ll need:

handheld drill
small drill bit
2 1/2″ hole maker drill attachment
saw (any kind that will cut wood)
measuring tape, L or T square ruler, yardstick ruler ( to make measurement)
hammer
piece of nail or screw ( to make hole in the lids of mason jar)
pencil
heat source such as lighters, or match sticks.
(11) 1/2 gallon mason jars or (12) quart mason jars
Tiny 1/2″ screws (4) for each mason jar
small piece of beeswax
wood glue
wood stain in light color such as white, bright blue or green. Generlly, light color is for summer. If you want to place the beehive in open field under hot sun. Dark color for shade area or used for mild winter area to retian some heat for the bees to survive.
Beehive super with deep wall that will fit over the jars (already made or bought)