Solitary bee nesting activities

Evening after first warm day (22/04/08), view inside box where two bees are active reversing into their tubes. One solitary bee resting after busy day collecting pollen and nectar. Cells and larvae visible.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• solitary
• bee
• nectar
• pollen
• larvae
• eggs

[jmmydl]

This is a really cool idea. I'll definitely be trying it out. Where was this video shot by the way?

[solitarybee]

Hi jmmydl - the videos (and of course the bees I have) are from Northern France. It won't be long until I post a video of how to make a bee observation box just like this one but much better.

My bees have just come out in this last week (end March 2010) and they are already taking to the tubes.

[solitarybee]

@jmmydl - just posted 'How to make a mason bee osbservation box' hope you like it, and give it a thumbs up!

[copefarms]

what an awesome design I may have to try something like that.

What size are the tubes ?

[solitarybee]

The inner diameter of the tubes on this box is about 9mm although you can go as small as 7 or 6 mm with certain mason bees. I just put in place a box with 10mm tubes and I think it will work also... my bees don't seem to mind... will post a video of the new box in the next ten days.

[solitarybee]

@copefarms - just posted a new video of 'How to make a mason bee osbservation box' hope you enjoy watching it - give it a thumbs up if it's useful!

[fishingcostarica]

A little trick with plastic tubing. Place the cut lengths in a fry pan and cover with a little water and bring to a boil. In front of your eyes, they will become perfectly round and strait.

[solitarybee]

Thanks. These guys once established only require that you keep offering them more tunnels each year to expand and pollinate your trees (as they do mine). Apparently if offered enough nesting tunnels they can increase by a factor of 6 - although maybe more than half will necessarily be males. Good luck with your nesting boxes.

[solitarybee]

The tubes are vertical and I have a removable lid which is only taken off for a matter of minutes. They are so busy competing for the nesting opportunity that they don't slow down their activities.

[solitarybee]

Yes, its position was chosen because either side of the door below (with the window above) the existing wild population has been nesting between the sandy wall bricks. It was an ideal choice and hence why I could position the box where they would find it.