Apex Brickcutters has been in operation as a brick merchants, brickcutters providing
cast stone, brick arches and other types of special shaped bricks for over 20 years.
Contact us to discuss your brick needs
Brick Slip Eco-Habitats
BRITISH MADE BIRD, BAT & BEE BRICK HOUSES, AN INTEGRAL PART OF AN ECO-BUILDS
UK Eco-build homes are designed to be sustainable and minimise environmental impact. These homes prioritise keeping energy use low and are built using sustainable materials. Eco-built homes can also incorporate features that provide wildlife habitat, specifically for birds, bats and bees. These are a great way to support local wildlife populations often threatened by habitat loss.
These homes are pre-made integrated boxes designed to fit seamlessly into the brickwork. This is to counter products that are fitted to the outside of brickwork and need to be screwed in. These are usually made of wood so are temporary due to weather deterioration..
Note: Our bat/bird boxes and bee bricks can also be retro-fitted to existing buildings by taking out bricks and installing the habitats into the brickwork. We go beyond simply placing bird and bat boxes on the exterior.
Give APEX a call to find out more and get a custom quote.
Bird Homes: Apex offer two types of Brick Slip bird homes. Firstly there is the more generic “small bird” house, designed to host a diverse range of British birds, including House Sparrows, Starlings, Redstarts, and Tits. A single entrance hole allows the entire internal area to be available for nesting and roosting. The aperture size will vary according to the target species. The fronts have a stainless steel mesh to aid Brick Slip adhesion and are retained with stainless steel screws.
As well as the more generic bird homes, Apex also offers a home specifically for Swifts and other cavity-nesting birds, that integrates into existing brickwork without compromising the integrity or appearance of the building. They’re easy to install and providing a secure nest box that lasts the lifetime of the building – perfect for birds that return to the same site each year. With its thin-walled nest chamber it takes a small amount of space in the wall while providing more than sufficient space for the birds.
Bat Homes: Apex offer two types of Brick Slip bat homes. Firstly there is the BirdBrickHouse version, which is supplied brick slip fronted. These are best positioned in sunlit clusters, at a height of 3-6 metres and ideally facing a variety of aspects as bats will move around a building as the seasons change.
The other type of bat home comes from Action for Swifts. The AfS bat box is designed for crevice-dwelling bats. The outer housing is galvanised steel which minimises the space used within the wall and it is fireproof. Internally it is lined with bat-friendly materials. The entrance is a 20mm slot in a brick slip, chosen to match the bricks in the wall with the entrance occupies just one brick in the outer leaf.
Where do I put bird houses?
Integrating birdhouses into our homes is a beautiful and eco-friendly way to coexist with nature.
Height: Most birds prefer their houses to be at least 5 feet off the ground. Preferably closer to 10 feet. This ensures the birdhouse is out of reach of cats and other predators.
Orientation: Face the entrance away from prevailing winds and heavy rain.
What breed of bird would this most suit?
In the UK, several bird species are likely to nest in birdhouses incorporated into a house's brickwork.
House Martins: These small, agile birds are known for their mud nests, which they often build under eaves or in sheltered areas. They're particularly fond of brickwork structures.
Swallows: Similar to house martins, swallows also build mud nests in sheltered areas. They might be attracted to a birdhouse in brickwork if it offers a suitable location.
Sparrows: Both house sparrows and tree sparrows are common garden birds that often nest in cavities. A birdhouse in brickwork could provide a suitable nesting site.
Blue Tits: These small, colorful birds are cavity nesters. They frequently use birdhouses and might be attracted to a brickwork-integrated design.
Nuthatches: Nuthatches are another cavity-nesting species that might consider a birdhouse in brickwork.
Remember: The specific bird species attracted to your birdhouse will depend on factors like location, habitat, and the availability of other nesting sites.
What is the best location for a swift house?
Historically, they nested in natural cavities like cliffs and tree holes, but with the decline of these habitats, they've adapted to urban environments. Brick fronted swift boxes can be supplied to be incorporated under the house's eaves. This is the most common and preferred location for swifts. The entrance to the swift box should be at least 4 meters (13 feet) above ground level.
What is the best position for a bat house?
Height: At least 10 feet above the ground, ideally 12-20 feet.
Sunlight: East or south-facing for at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Morning sun is preferred if only partial sunlight is available.
Near Water: Bat houses are more likely to be used if located within a quarter mile of freshwater.
Why are bat houses important?
Bat houses play a crucial role in wildlife conservation and ecosystem balance. Many natural roosting sites for bats, like old trees and caves, are disappearing.
Bat houses provide artificial alternatives. Bats are voracious insect eaters, helping to control populations of mosquitoes, moths, and other pests. By providing a safe and suitable home for bats, you're contributing to a healthier environment.
How many bat houses per property?
There's no strict rule on the number of bat houses per property. Larger properties can accommodate more bat houses. Generally, two or three bat houses is a good approach.
What is the best position for a bee house?
Height: Place the bee house at least 2 meters (6 feet) above the ground to protect it from predators and flooding.
Sunlight: The best location for a bee house attached to a home is a south-facing wall.
Shelter: Ensure the bee house is sheltered from strong winds and rain.
Distance from human activity: While bees are generally peaceful, it's best to place the bee house away from areas where people frequently congregate.
Why are bees important?
Bees are a critical part of our natural environment, a large number of bee are solitary bees, they don't live in colonies, instead choosing cracks and crevices in buildings. Numbers of bees have been falling due to habitat loss. Thus we encourage you to invite them into your gardens.
What plants are good for attracting bees in your garden?
Some plants that are known to attract bees to your garden are: Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Mint, Cornflowers, Poppies, Daisies, Sunflowers, Asters, Foxgloves and Buddleia.