Mason Bees

These industrious pollinators are docile and hard to spot. We found out how to welcome these friends to your garden

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• gardentime
• mason
• bee
• pollinate
• pollen
• keeper
• block

[PolishExplorer]

I live in Renton,WA only 20 miles east of Seattle if I put a Mason bee house out on my fence will they immediately fly to the house and make it there home or do I need to buy Mason bees? Also I have only lived in Washington State for at least 11 years and I have only heard about them at a garden event back in January at the Tacoma Dome and I am very surprised that they don't sting at all that's nice. Also should I buy more than one Mason bee house if so is two or three more like the magic

[GardenGuy06]

@PolishExplorer it may take them a while to find it, but they eventually do find the homes. They look for holes anywhere to make their home and so you may even have them already in your yard. if you buy more houses you could have a lot more bees. Check with your local garden center to learn the best place to put your mason bee houses for the best success.

[callmeBe]

@PolishExplorer If you are going to buy your bees (right now Jan 2012 they are selling for about $25.00 for 20 bees), you'd better do it soon. This is about the normal time these bees are sold, as they are harvested this time of year. And, as you know, 2011 had a very cold and wet spring--so it was a hard year on the bees (plants began flowering at about the average time, and then it got cold again, so nothing flowered after the cherrys for awhile). Do use reed tubes in WA.

[ArtisChronicles]

wow... to think that one of these landed on me once and I just wanted it to get off of me. I've seen them more times than I've thought as well and just tried to avoid rather than watch it....

[PolishExplorer]

number.

[boysselle]

Very nice video! What is the best system design?: wood blocks, paper tubes etc.

Who is your supplier? Thank you

[jenevievetribal]

When do you put your mason bees out in late winter/early spring? I live in Northern California and my cocoons are still in my fridge. Local honeybee keepers tell me that there are enough pollen sources for bees right now. Do I need to wait for the last frost of the winter before putting them outside?

[feelfreeacount]

im not a bee expert but could i be able to keep bees in a box that looks like this but with holes in the front?

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[solitarybee]

Were those cocoons empty or full? If they are full don't they get stressed being moved around?

I have observed that without any surface attachment of the cocoons to hold them still, the bees need an extra effort to free themselves as they try to chew through and squeeze their way out. They can end up stuck and rolling around with their heads and front legs half out.