If you are not familiar with Mason bees, they are great pollinators and with the decimation of the honey bee population, they help fill the pollinating void. Here at JFA, the Orchardmen in the area raise the Blue Orchard bees, and there are other varieties of bees that are used for pollinating, but none make the honey that the honey bees make nor are they as good at pollinating as the honey bee, but they are important to our eco-system if we are to continue to thrive on this earth. Though honey bees are extremely important and more people are beginning to get into bee keeping, it is not for everyone, and may even be restricted if you are within city limits. Here's where you can still do your part ecologically, but with minimal care or attention as is required with honey bees.
I have been raising Mason bees for a number of years and they reliably hatch around mid May. They don't stay around very long, they are not like the honey bee. When they hatch, they are small dark colored bees that may be mistaken for flies. They hatch, feed, pollinate, breed and lay the eggs in tubes. Either straw like tubes or tubes you drill into a piece of wood.
Making Mason Bee houses is easy and any chunk of wood can work for this. These can be made with chunks of wood or even 2 X 4 planks. I have two that I made several years ago, that will need to be replaced as they are starting to split and the bees will not nest in the split ones. You can purchase the egg tubes, that they will also use for several years for nesting as others hatch from it. When completed, just hang in a shaded or semi shaded and protected area. The plank type can be leaned up against a wall or fence. You can see in my example where most of the holes are filled. Those are full of eggs and will hatch when weather warms up.
You will also see a couple of holes where they have not nested. If you have a chunk of wood, a 5/16th inch drill bit, and a few minutes of time, you can make your own to help pollinate your gardens. I believe it was Einstein that said, without honey bees to pollinate, the world's food supply would be depleted in less than 4 years. So get those Mason bee nesting houses made, to help pollinate. And involve the kidlets so they understand the importance of pollination for the flowers and garden produce we enjoy in our daily lives. These make great home school, public school, 4H, scouts and community projects, so get involved in a simple way to make a huge impact on our environment. Your projects can be as elaborate or as simple as you choose, and you can purchase mason bee houses and the Live mason bee tubes through our link provided below or some local garden supply centers may carry them. Though there is not much knowledge needed to make your own Mason bee houses, I have provided a link below to help you plan out your project.
In addition to the Mason Bee house project, planting a variety of bee attracting flowers will help with the feeding and pollinating of the honey bees and the little Mason Bee workers. Please refer to our links for purchase of Mason bee supplies and suitable flower seeds to accompany your project.
Another great project that is quick and easy to construct is the Honey Bee Nectar Station.
justfowlingaround.weebly.com/earth-friendly-projects/honey-bee-nectar-reservoir
Further information for raising mason bees:
http://www.nwf.org/how-to-help/garden-for-wildlife/gardening-tips/build-a-bee-house.aspx
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