Made my mason nesting boxes today...pic

[Beltane]

While I'm anxiously awaiting spring and my first nuc, I spent the morning making mason bee nesting boxes.

I LOVE this world of beekeeping!

http://www.metrocast.net/~palmeira/BeeBoxes.jpg

[hummingberd]

what are these for?

[BEES4U]

Do you plan using the straw method of managing your masons?
Which mason bees are you working with?
Ernie
lucas Apiaries

[Beltane]

what are these for?

They are neat little bees...check out this link: http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/inse006/inse006.htm

[Beltane]

Do you plan using the straw method of managing your masons?
Which mason bees are you working with?
Ernie
lucas Apiaries

I was thinking about going the 'rustic' way and just making new boxes each year, but the paper straw avenue now sounds easier! I was planning on bringing in boxes to my barn to overwinter.

[Brent Bean]

It would be a good idea to put small hole chicken wire staple about an inch away form the holes, this will keep birds like woodpeckers form raiding the nests.
I plan on putting out several nest boxes for bumblebees and mason bees this year. We grow blueberries and both bees are very good at pollinating blueberries.

[Beltane]

It would be a good idea to put small hole chicken wire staple about an inch away form the holes, this will keep birds like woodpeckers form raiding the nests.
I plan on putting out several nest boxes for bumblebees and mason bees this year. We grow blueberries and both bees are very good at pollinating blueberries.

That's a perfect idea ~ thank you. I hadn't thought of that.