#native bees
Hey guys! A great way to protect native bee populations is to build and nurture the environments that they need to live. In Washington, my state, Mason Bees are a prevalent native bee species, and this will be a tutorial on how to build hives for these types of bees. Before building a Mason Bee hive make sure that these bees are native to you area.If they are not, please build a hive more suited to the native species of your area or planting plants that attract those kinds of bees. Mason Bees will come to your hive if done correctly, but buying Mason Bees is also an option and will more quickly populate your hive.
Supplies
Block Hive (I’ve built 5 of these, its’ a super simple afternoon project)
- A drill
- A 4″ by 4″ by 8″ block of wood
- Masking tape
- OPTIONAL: wood finish
- OPTIONAL: sanding paper
Bamboo Straw Hive
- Bamboo straws
- Rubber Band/ Alternative binding materials
Tutorials
https://www.nwf.org/Garden-For-Wildlife/Young/Build-a-Bee-House.aspx
General Tips
https://www.parentmap.com/article/keeping-mason-bees-10-expert-tips-for-families
Where to Put Mason Bee Hives
According to Parent Map: “South-facing garage, house, or garden shed walls are ideal areas for establishing your nesting boxes”
Some Mason Bee Hive Designs
Polemonium (Jacob’s ladder) and Bombus ternarius (Orange-belted bumblebee)
An Orange-belted bumblebee ‘Gettin’ Jiggy’ with the Jacob’s ladder out by our shed. The garden’s just a buzzin’ at this time of year.
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Bumble bee, what are you doing out in December?
species: black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus)
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