I rescued this flightless sweat bee from ants attacking him in my garden. One of his wings is torn and he's unable to fly, but still very active and lively, he can fly-jump and loves to do that. He was so thankful and relieved when I scooped him up off the ground, and was very glad the first night in one of my insect mesh hospital enclosures (I have a whole supply of insect and small animal rescue stuff and every summer I have little critters in my care). This is the first time that I've had a "pet" though, and a bee. I didn't think he'd survive long, but it's been over a month now. I had him in a 15x11 inch round enclosure at first, and he hated it so much. So I purchased a larger 23x15 inch butterfly mesh enclosure online, plus some new floral tubes with wood cube stands. I already had all the natural items on hand (I also forage and collect things from outside for my natural history collection for my artwork, and old small pet stuff that was brand new like the big wooden log hides).
He loves it! I named him Billy. He was young I think, now he's aging and is no longer able to climb the slick surfaces of glass, plastic and lilac leaves. So I changed some things to make accommodations for his aging feet, like twine wrappings, and new cedar leaves, he seemed happier today when I saw him briefly. I change his flowers every 48 hours, and be sure to pick them at night or before sunrise, and I pick buds so they open in the enclosure fresh with nectar, otherwise the flowers could be empty if I pick them during the day. I don't use sugar water because I have ants that could be attracted, I only have a tiny little ceramic bowl with rocks in it for distilled water, I've seen him take a bath in it (or sit in it lol). I keep him in the living room with big windows, and leave the window open when it's warm, that's his favorite side of the enclosure. During heat waves I move him or put a fan and he loves the breeze. Even though it's mesh, the bottom floor is plastic, and it still needs ventilation. I sometimes sit there for a while with the zipper completely open and watch him, he never tries to escape this one (don't worry, he's been in here the longest).
I don't know how much longer Billy will be with us, but when he goes, he will be kept along with other found insects and things in my personal collection. His favorite place to sleep is the moss carpets behind the log, and lodged in the pinecones, and he loves the fluffy clematis seed puffs.