None that I'm aware of, Jason. I would place it more or less at eye level, as I have, just so you can observe it more easily. I find that the bees do take it quite readily. Last year, they filled more than half the tubes. They've just started this year and I'll be interested to keep track of just how many get filled.
How neat is that! If I could find a spot in the garden where they wouldn't get cooked in the sun, or soaked by the sprinklers, I'd go ahead and put up one of these nests. We didn't get as many Mason bees in the garden this year, I think because we lost the habitat either side of us. I'd like to do my part to replace some of that lost habitat.
No, I've never heard that, BG. I leave mine up year-round, because around here, the bees are active year-round except for the very coldest part of winter. In the past, I've had them plugging the tubes earlier in the year. For some reason, this year they waited until late summer to get started. If I had taken the house down earlier, I would have missed them.
I'd like to get one of those Mason Bee nests. Any particular requirements about how you place them - height,etc?
ReplyDeleteNone that I'm aware of, Jason. I would place it more or less at eye level, as I have, just so you can observe it more easily. I find that the bees do take it quite readily. Last year, they filled more than half the tubes. They've just started this year and I'll be interested to keep track of just how many get filled.
DeleteI've been thinking about putting up some nests for the solitary bees. This is very cool!
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend it, Karin. You know how valuable these bees are and anything we can do to help them is certainly worth doing.
DeleteI`ve never heard of that , thanks for the education, Birdwoman.
DeleteNative bees are a passion of mine. I'm always glad to proselytize for them.
DeleteHow neat is that! If I could find a spot in the garden where they wouldn't get cooked in the sun, or soaked by the sprinklers, I'd go ahead and put up one of these nests. We didn't get as many Mason bees in the garden this year, I think because we lost the habitat either side of us. I'd like to do my part to replace some of that lost habitat.
ReplyDeleteIf you can find an appropriate spot for it, it would be a great addition to your garden, Jayne.
DeleteI have the exact same mason bee house. I had several tubes plugged but someone told me to take the house down in June. Did you ever hear that?
ReplyDeleteNo, I've never heard that, BG. I leave mine up year-round, because around here, the bees are active year-round except for the very coldest part of winter. In the past, I've had them plugging the tubes earlier in the year. For some reason, this year they waited until late summer to get started. If I had taken the house down earlier, I would have missed them.
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