Anyone keeping Mason Bees?

[DelawareJim]

Is there anyone out there keeping Mason Bees? What have you found is a good way to start?

Our property is a certified wildlife habitat and I've been thinking about taking the next step and keeping bees because of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), and I just like them. My wife isn’t so sure about the work involved with honey bees, so I’m thinking about providing nesting tubes for solitary bees like Mason Bees to start.

I’ve spent a good amount of time at Knox Cellars, Crown Bees, and Hutchings Bee Service and I’m torn between going with blocks and tubes or trays. I have access to a complete wood shop and I’m contemplating knocking up a couple of each to see which works best. I’ve also collected Teasel stalks and Phragmites from previous years to try reeds as well.

Any advice from any experienced keepers would be appreciated.

Cheers.
Jim

[WhiteRabbit]

and - OBer johnblagg has recently started keeping bees - don't think the same type, but perhaps he may be able to help

gl

[RosieC]

Not kept them as such no, but we had some living in our house wall earlier in the year. They seem to have moved on but they must still be somewhere close (or others are) because we still see the same type in the garden a lot.

Sorry I can't help. Just giving another bump.

[flhiker]

Yea I keep them at a distance. sorry couldn't help myself.

It's definitely a good idea! Are you intending on harvesting the honey? or just providing habitat? As I have learned, extracting the honey is another whole ball of wax. dam can't help myself today. Anyway don't they use a centrifuge to extract it?

[Paul]

Originally Posted by flhiker

Are you intending on harvesting the honey? or just providing habitat?

Solitary bees like mason bees aren't honey producers. They are however very efficient pollinators -- more so than honey bees.

[flhiker]

shows you what I know. But it did prompt me to read about them. The Wikipedia show a block of wood with a bunch of holes in them. Seems simple enough. I recently planted citrus trees and I just might make a block and see what happens.

[Paul]

Do keep in mind that info on Wiki is often erroneous ... although in this case the info about the block is correct.

If I am remembering correctly, I seem to recall reading that it is adviseable to have the holes facing a wall (with a 1/2 inch of clearance or such) to prevent birds from eating the larvae. However it has been years, literally, so more research would be needed.

[The Orchid Boy]

You can buy live mason bees and homes for them on most gardenig websites and catalogs. Just google something like "mason bees for sale" or "mason bee kits". It might give you some ideas. I have also been seriously thinking about getting mason bees.