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The weather has been up and down over the past week with temps of up to 70 plus I've seen daffodills popping up in protected area. What this meant was that I decided to strip out my trap blocks and...

To tell the truth, I can't remember.:scratch: Might have been to load the cocoons into the milk box.

This year I used Small priority mail boxes with a couple of holes in them and taped shut. ...

Here is a link to some Bee block photos from 2011 and 2012. If I get about 8 cocoons/ tube, I'm going to have a boatload of them next year.:)
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I use wood blocks with parchment paper liners. the holes are oversize so the paper gets wound up to make the tubes the right size. There are about 3-4 wraps to make the tube.

The tubes are longer...

I think your tubes are a hair to large. Might want to try 1/4".

When I trimm back my rose bushes I trim the canes to 7" and jam a 1/4" rod down the pith and leave them in stacks around the yards....

Glad you enjoyed the photos.

Around mid to late April my original 6 blocks were 98% full. Made 2 grooved tray blocks that were about 11-12" long and had 30 tubes in each and placed 1 in the bucket...

I have used the parchment paper tubes since '08.
what I do to avoid the curling is the following.
* cut all paper as far ahead of time as possible and then store outside with a weight on top of the...

Glad Everyone enjoys the photos. They are handy.

I just got a roll of parchment paper from the grocery store. Figured out how much paper I needed to cut to fold over in the back and, when wound...

I open all the tubes and inspect the cocoons for damage and parasites. I have been leaving any cocoons that are different, but move them to a separate hatching chamber. I brush out all the block...

They are all locals as far as i know. I have not purchased any.
I started by putting out one block with 24 holes and lined with handrolled parchment paper tubes. I believe I got about 10 filled...

You might want to read up a bit more on mahonia before plantin it in the landscape.
Here is a link to a bit more info on the plant.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2097/

New here today. Just joined up since this is one of the more active sites that pertains to Orchard Mason bees, Bumble bees and other solitary pollinators.

I have been hanging nests for about 3 - 4...

Hello,

Joined up since activity on other pollinators is very active.

Have been slowly expanding my nesting block for the last 4-5 years.

Look forward to learning more about planting for them...