They are in such a rush because they think the other solitary bees are going to steal their stocks of pollen... so in a permanent rushed state they are also very effective pollen gatherers... apparently ten times more effective than honey bees... but yes I think that bee was a bit embarrassed.
Hi there. Thanks for your question - these tubes (placed in opened beer cans) are made from brown paper. Rolled three to four times around a 8-10mm diameter wooden dowel, held with sticky tape and then the dowelling removed. The tubes are up to 15cm long, and have accommodated up to 10 bee cells.
At the back I've sealed them with the wet clay-rich mud - the material that the bees will also use to block up the cells and eventually seal the tunnel when finished. Happy to answer questions. :)
On the left of they window sill I also successfully placed dried hogweed stems (sealed or cut just below a cell knuckle), bullrush reeds, and a third native plant that I have been trying to identify. They were very happy to adopt them.
Mason bees are very, very gentle bees. They don't defend their work from predators/us but they do bite 'competing' females that they believe might be trying to profit/lay an egg on a building tunnel specific pollen stock. I have never been stung or aggressed, and I often film centimetres away in their flight path. Apparently certain female solitary mason bees may have stingers but unless they fly down your t-shirt by accident, and you try to squash them they'll probably not use them.
All these habitats are home-made. I have heard most people talking about keeping them out of the wind and facing the morning sun or South. Mine are in an enclosed courtyard, and here they are just above the door on the first floor window sill.
Excellent ! I've just made a few tin cans filled with cut off bamboo canes ~ what height & where is it best to locate them in the UK with our wet weather and westerly winds ? Simon :-)
Hi Simon, sorry I was a little long in replying... didn't notice your follow up. These bee-tubes are sheltered from rain on the first floor window. they are active from 1.5m upwards in the bricks of the East facing building - which is perfect for early sun rays.
In Asia they nest in Bamboo
jnnycliff 3 months ago
They are just beautiful!=)
delacour002 1 year ago
@delacour002 Thanks, and thanks for subscribing to my videos more coming soon.
solitarybee 1 year ago
how u make it
Raymond69799 1 year ago
@Raymond69799 Check out the other videos on my channel to get an idea... I am about to post 2010 results and am preparing for spring.
solitarybee 1 year ago
a sol i TARRY bee... a black bassturd...........hahahahah
SIGILEYEZATIOns 1 year ago
Oh man, what a nice video. Thanks for the record.
felipevenancio 1 year ago
They are in such a rush because they think the other solitary bees are going to steal their stocks of pollen... so in a permanent rushed state they are also very effective pollen gatherers... apparently ten times more effective than honey bees... but yes I think that bee was a bit embarrassed.
solitarybee 2 years ago
Thank you @solitarybee ~ useful to know... East facing... brilliant I've done this :-) and sheltered from the rain... must put a roof up too !
simbirdcom 2 years ago
tanks
MrSkyttekungen 2 years ago
what is the material of the pipes?
MrSkyttekungen 2 years ago
Hi there. Thanks for your question - these tubes (placed in opened beer cans) are made from brown paper. Rolled three to four times around a 8-10mm diameter wooden dowel, held with sticky tape and then the dowelling removed. The tubes are up to 15cm long, and have accommodated up to 10 bee cells.
At the back I've sealed them with the wet clay-rich mud - the material that the bees will also use to block up the cells and eventually seal the tunnel when finished. Happy to answer questions. :)
solitarybee 2 years ago
On the left of they window sill I also successfully placed dried hogweed stems (sealed or cut just below a cell knuckle), bullrush reeds, and a third native plant that I have been trying to identify. They were very happy to adopt them.
solitarybee 2 years ago
does it stings
mystic0276 2 years ago
Mason bees are very, very gentle bees. They don't defend their work from predators/us but they do bite 'competing' females that they believe might be trying to profit/lay an egg on a building tunnel specific pollen stock. I have never been stung or aggressed, and I often film centimetres away in their flight path. Apparently certain female solitary mason bees may have stingers but unless they fly down your t-shirt by accident, and you try to squash them they'll probably not use them.
solitarybee 2 years ago
All these habitats are home-made. I have heard most people talking about keeping them out of the wind and facing the morning sun or South. Mine are in an enclosed courtyard, and here they are just above the door on the first floor window sill.
solitarybee 2 years ago
Excellent ! I've just made a few tin cans filled with cut off bamboo canes ~ what height & where is it best to locate them in the UK with our wet weather and westerly winds ? Simon :-)
simbirdcom 2 years ago
Hi Simon, sorry I was a little long in replying... didn't notice your follow up. These bee-tubes are sheltered from rain on the first floor window. they are active from 1.5m upwards in the bricks of the East facing building - which is perfect for early sun rays.
solitarybee 2 years ago