Simple project: High fun return

[Mark Gottesman]

For the last few years I have made and hung nesting blocks for solitary cavity nesting bees. This nesting is geared towards Blue Orchard bees. They are only active in the spring for about 6 weeks, but I get a lot of enjoyment watching their progress. It allows me to somewhat satisfy my urge to keep bees and I get a good blueberry crop for the birds.:gar-La;

Here is a link to the album with more photos.
http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u13/gyozu/Mason Bee Blocks/

I have been working on bringing in more plants for pollinators. Next, will be nesting blocks for other cavity nesting bees that are active later in the year and an attempt to find and build some sort of nest that will attract bumble Bees. The Bumbles are hard workers and active all year.

 

[Glennbear]

Thanks for sharing Mark. It is nice to know that you are such a strong advocate when they need all the help they can get with the widespread incidence of colony collapse. :wsmile:

 

[PeteM]

Interesting . . .
I did a little Googling and there's quite a bit of info out there.
Think I'll be making a nest or two this weekend :eusa_danc

pete

 

[ChrisB]

Does anybody know if something like this would give carpenter bees a place to nest and prevent them from nesting in decks, houses, etc.? :dontknow: They cause a bit of damage to my house and deck every year.

Chris

 

[lbtripp]

Interesting! Thanks for the post.

 

[ptt49er]

Did you have bee's the first year you put them out?

 

[Mark Gottesman]

Ptt49er:
Yes I did have bees use it the first year. I got it out mid March in 08 and filled about 24 tubes of 48. Last year I filled all the blocks for a total of about 106 tubes. Each holds 9-10 cocoons.

ChrisB:
The Carpenter bees seem to prefer my Eaves, deck and untreated lumber over the bee houses. Maybe you could leave blocks of wood hanging out as sacrificial wood chunks.

 

[Dean Maiorano]

Thanks for posting this. What great, simple fun and function.

 

[JackLeg]

Them carpenter bees ain't brick masons! :rotflm:

 

[CarvedTones]

Unfortunately, one of my kids is terrified of bees. In the spring and summer, he doesn't even want to go out to the mailbox without a tennis racket.

 

[Jeff]

That's a neat project that benefits both you and the bees. Never heard of these bees before, but there's a bunch of useful and informative information at Google. :icon_cheers

 

[red]

That's a great project with great benefits for all. Pretty cool.

Red