Archive for the ‘nesting habitats’ Category

How do I encourage mason bees into my garden?

Monday, March 26th, 2012

In forums, on Youtube and our Facebook page, people are naturally asking ‘How do I encourage mason bees into my garden?’  Well I was lucky enough to already have my bees already nesting in the sandy mortar in between the bricks of my family house.  However, 7 years on I can offer a little basic checklist to first-timers (which I will no doubt will evolve as I better structure it and people contribute):

  • An East or South-East facing, vertical sunny wall that’s not too exposed (humidity/wind)
  • Acceptable nesting cavities or tunnels (reeds, straws, trays or drilled wood lined with paper)
  • Tunnels at least 10cm long (preferably 15cm) closed at back so that the bees feel it’s safe for their offspring
  • Internal tunnel diameters from 4 to 10 mm – often the width of a pencil around 7mm is good
  • Adequate sources of nectar (e.g. fruit tree blossoms) throughout the period that the species nest (at least a month)
  • Source of nesting materials. If you want mason bees, there has to be a source of mud.

I will develop this post better, here, in time.  Any other things I have missed?

Posted in bee species, good day, learning curve, nesting habitats, new bee species, solitary bees | No Comments »