Mason Bees

[DoctorShavegood]

Picked up this little house at Lowes. It's a Mason Bee hut or house. The bees pack pollen in the back of the one of the tubes, lay an egg and then pack it shut with mud or grass clippings. They are non-aggressive so don't worry that they will sting you or your kids. I put it out about two weeks ago, went to check it and there were 6 tubes packed....what??? I've got a garden so they will pollinate all my tomatoes, etc.

Go get one and see what happens.

 

[FarmerTan]

I've always wanted to make one of those! Thanks for the pics!

 

[Ad Astra]

Same as "carpenter bees?"

Bah! Those things drill holes in your wood around here. As in "drill half-inch holes in your house."

Maybe not the same bee.


AA

 

[DoctorShavegood]

Same as "carpenter bees?"

Bah! Those things drill holes in your wood around here. As in "drill half-inch holes in your house."

Maybe not the same bee.


AA

Nope, they are a structure friendly bee. Check it out:

Mason Bees - What They Are & How To Help Them | BeehiveHero - https://beehivehero.com/mason-bees/

 

[Ad Astra]

Nope, they are a structure friendly bee. Check it out:

Mason Bees - What They Are & How To Help Them | BeehiveHero - https://beehivehero.com/mason-bees/

View attachment 1111507

Amen. I want my Carpenters to go the way of Karen!

Uh, to eat less. Wood! To eat less wood!

It's just getting worse ...


AA

 

[DoctorShavegood]

Amen. I want my Carpenters to go the way of Karen!

Uh, to eat less. Wood! To eat less wood!

It's just getting worse ...


AA

She needed to eat more wood...or anything.

 

[vacman]

And Mason Bees are more active than honeybees in pollinating your plants and trees. While better at pollination, you can't harvest the honey but they are great bees to have around.

 

[DoctorShavegood]

Update:

The Mason bee house is totally full of activity. I've got 6 tunnels stuffed with mud/grass. They are coming and going right around your head as you look in close to the house.

 

[eightysixCJ]

Picked up this little house at Lowes. It's a Mason Bee hut or house. The bees pack pollen in the back of the one of the tubes, lay an egg and then pack it shut with mud or grass clippings. They are non-aggressive so don't worry that they will sting you or your kids. I put it out about two weeks ago, went to check it and there were 6 tubes packed....what??? I've got a garden so they will pollinate all my tomatoes, etc.

Go get one and see what happens.

Very cool! Those types of structures support a variety of pollinators and beneficial insects. I made similar frames (4-6 inches deep) with stacked bark, sticks, and various hollow items. Japanese Knotweed stems make nice hollow spaces.

Tom

 

[kelbro]

Mine has been well used for several years...

 

[DoctorShavegood]

 

[KWilliams40]

Same as "carpenter bees?"

Bah! Those things drill holes in your wood around here. As in "drill half-inch holes in your house."

Maybe not the same bee.


AA

Carpenter bees are annoying. Perfect 1/2" holes all over my back deck. I bought a carpenter bee trap last year to deal with them.

Amazon.com : One of the Best Carpenter Bee Traps, Patent No. RE46.421 : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : One of the Best Carpenter Bee Traps, Patent No. RE46.421 : Garden & Outdoor

www.amazon.com

 

[DoctorShavegood]

75% of the tubes are packed. I suspect they will all be full in the next two weeks. Just trying to help.

 

[gearchow]

I've always think of mason bees too late in the year. We do have a lot of flowering plants - the lavender practically vibrates. The bees around here seem to be having a good year.

thankfully, I haven't seen any yellow jackets around our property. nasty buggers.

-jim