Orchard Mason Bee Cleaning Part 2

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Education

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[hutchingsbeeservice]

Any indigenous species is perfectly suited to withstand the rigours of climate they are subjected to as this is their normal habitat. The same goes with its associated parasitoids and parasites. However, going to a drilled hole, much as in nature, will eventually "crash" your captured population of bees, much like not weeding your garden - eventually it gets choked out. If you see and know what I know, you'd take the little extra time in cleaning and have a sustainable, captive brood of bees.

[hutchingsbeeservice]

Yes, I know what you mean about plastic condos but a lot of manufacturers are trying to go quick and easier construction to suit the general public. Our designs, which have everything from round holes to datos, come in varying widths and lengths etc., but always wood. Wood lends itself for breathability when damp.

As for your 1" cocoon, could you photo it and send to me. Check out "Hutchings Bee Service" on google and you'll find my email.

For cleaning, bleach can work but I prefer to torch it.

[mtnbugs]

This is an excellent video of the sand washing method. I also like the mention of the leafcutter bee to be saved as well.  I have done a little washing with water - no bleach and just dried over night. However, this sand method is cleaner and a lot easier. I'll definitely be mentioning your video in my future mason bee talks.

[hutchingsbeeservice]

Thanks. If you need further assistance in equipment ideas, I can help. Besides, those that think bleach kills the mites are very wrong. And as far as separating parasitised cocoons and other cleptoparasitic organisms within, this comes with experience in identification as well the overall feel of the cocoon if it has multiple larvae within. As I teach on Vancouver Island, if ever you want to do a joint class, let me know.

Gord

[KRACKZENNY]

Hi Norm and Gord,

Thanks for your videos, I like them and learned a lot.

I am in Montreal, and the winters are very cold. Will the cocoons be okay outside all winter?

Also, is the ONLY reason for cleaning to rid the tunnels of mites? For my first year trying this I think I will just do the drilled holes in a block method, and the bees will have to rough it out with any mites in the spring.

[bwloving49]

I forgot to say, we are next to the woods in Snohomish County... very moist here...

[bwloving49]

Thanks so much for this excellent video! We had a successful experience with it yesterday. Our plastic condos that open up looked grungier than yours, I noticed... with LOTS of mites... some white larvae of some sort... some moldiness... lots of bee cocoons in varying condition. We also had one HUGE white cocoon (nearly 1" long) that we removed from the mix. Obviously a stowaway... We then cleaned only the habitat with chlorine-water. Is there a better solution for that? Thanks again!

[robomantis]

For leaf cutter bees do you take the leaves off to expose cocoons? Or do the segments just separate? My grandparents have lots of leaf cutter bees and i want to be able to view nest building too. I hope to somehow get nests like yours. How do you cut the grooves?

[lucowlishaw]

@hutchingsbeeservice

Thank you so much for your help!

[hutchingsbeeservice]

The holes are from parasitoid wasps (Monodontomerus) that have flown away already, and the "fruit fly" looking insects are these wasps in the larval or pre-pupal stage. The brown blobs are excrement and these won't come off easily, and you won't have to worry about them anyways. Storing all together is actually fine as the emerging wasps won't actually attack the bees until next year. They normally hang around the exterior of the condo and await the female bees to depart laying more eggs within.