What do you need for mason bees?
During the early spring months, you can try attracting mason bees by providing nesting tunnels, plenty of bee food, and a mud source. Mason bee houses can be bought or made from wood, thick paper straws, or hollow reeds. My father started his mason bees years ago by making a few wooden nest blocks in one afternoon.
How many mason bees do I need?
How many mason bees do I need? A single Mason Bee visits 20,000+ blossoms per day and pollinates 12 lbs. of cherries, a job for 60 honey bees. We recommend 10 Mason Bees per fruit tree.
How long do tubes need to be for mason bees?
Mason bees succeed best in nest tunnels that measure between 5/16” and 3/8” in diameter; with a tunnel length of 5″ to 7″. But they (and we) use bigger diameter and shorter – or even longer – lengths. Because of their adaptability, most of the many different types of housing available works if properly used.
When should you start mason bees?
Once you see a few things start to bloom, you can safely put your bees outside. If you don’t trust yourself to remember by looking at plants, just think March 1. Spring mason bees (Osmia lignaria) are generally active March, April, and May, so March 1 is a reliable date to use.
How deep should a mason bee house be?
6 inches
The nesting holes for mason bees should be ¼ to 3/8 inch in diameter and at least 3 inches, preferably 6 inches, deep. The hole should be open only on the entry end. Mason bees prefer wood (not pressure- treated or cedar) in which to nest but will use other materials.
Will wasps use mason bee houses?
Monodontomerus or mono the gnat-sized wasp This parasitic wasp is usually brought into the mason bee nest by a female that uses it ovipositor to insert an egg into the bee cell. Once the parasitic larvae develops, it eats the developing mason bee, then continues to derive food from the nest until it emerges an adult.
When should I put out my mason bee house?
Put your house out when the blossoms are starting to swell and the chance of frost is low. For Blue Orchard Mason Bees and other spring time bees this is when the temperature exceeds 50*consistently. Bees will emerge 1-14 days after warming up.
How high off the ground should a mason bee house be?
6 to 7 feet
The optimal location to hang your mason bee house is 6 to 7 feet off the ground, preferably under an eave of your house, garage, shed or some other shelter. If this is not an option, choose a house design that provides adequate shelter from the elements on its own, like the Beeworks Kit with Bees.
When should you hang a mason bee house?
What do you do with a mason bee house in the winter?
Osmia lignaria (blue orchard mason bees) overwinter in their cocoons as fully formed adults. This is a commonly human-managed solitary, tunnel nesting species, and many mason “beekeepers” harvest the overwintering cocoons and store them in the refrigerator to protect them from unpredictable environmental factors.
What direction should mason bee house face?
The Bee House should be placed against a flat surface and located in an area protected from high winds. The front of the house should have a south or southwest exposure where it will get the most sun in winter to keep bees warm.
When should I buy mason bees?
Spring mason bees (Osmia lignaria) are generally active March, April, and May, so March 1 is a reliable date to use. Although some people will keep mason bees in cold storage through April, I think it is better for the bees to be active when their wild counterparts are active.
When should you put out a mason bee house?
Do you have to clean out mason bee houses?
“You don’t have to clean bee houses, but it really helps protect your bees from mold, mites and wasps, and gives them a better chance in the spring. Since they are one of the few pollinators that early in the season, we really rely on them as humans.”
Which direction should a mason bee house face?
Can mason bees survive frost?
Freezing temperatures at night do not affect the bees. They will find a safe place to shelter in the evenings. If your mason bee cocoons arrive before blooms are open, it’s possible to keep bees in a state of forced hibernation by putting them in the fridge until spring has truly sprung.
What is a Mason beekeeping kit?
This mason beekeeping kit promises you greater yields in your agriculture due to excellent pollination. It houses mason bees that are great for farms and gardens as they are quite effective at pollination. When you do not want to have to deal with honey bees but enjoy pollination by bees, mason bees are a great option.
What is a good gift for a Mason beekeeper?
This mason bee house is a great accompaniment gift when you are gifting a fellow mason beekeeper your extra mason bee cocoons. The Spring house and wood tray sets for mason bees are built in a peaked roof design. It is a classic design for mason bee houses and is very aesthetically pleasing.
What is the best mason bee house?
The Woodlink 28551 cedar mason bee house is a quality pollinators’ house for gardeners and homeowners. It is large and fits many mason bees at a time. The mason bee house is made using wood on all sides. Panels making the sides and top of the bee house are thick enough to prevent water entering it.
Do mason bees reuse their houses?
Since mason bees prefer to make their nests close to each other, choose an excellent bee house that allows for this. It is also important to dispose or thoroughly clean used artificial boxes after one or two seasons since mason bees do not reuse or recycle their houses.