Growing a Greener World Episode 1002: Mason Bee Revolution

This episode explores the world of the docile, pollinating powerhouse - the Mason bee. Learn how to promote and play host to these beneficial insects in the garden and experience a game-changing increase in crop production.
Want to learn more? Check out additional resources in show notes on our web page: www.growingagreenerworld.com/...
Plus - don't miss the podcast episode with host Joe Lamp'l and featured guest Dave Hunter to dive even deeper into the world of solitary bees: joegardener.com/podcast/solit...

[@mmka1]

Excellent presentation!

[@ggwtv]

Glad you liked it!

[@barbaramartenson7814]

I’m a first year mason bee grower this year - and am excited! Love this video. Thanks!

[@terrylyle8302]

Thank you so much! I have been afraid of bees since being attacked by a whole nest of bumble bees as a child. After watching this, I realized that I have mason bees building their home in the screw holes of my new, cedar, swing last year. I'm hooked. I will be keeping Mason bees in my yard this year as a part of my vegetable and meadow gardens.

[@bunnirankey8016]

Awesome!

[@Sara-gl8ue]

Are you sure they were bumblebees? Bumblebees are solitary and docile.

[@hashihashi1019]

You just explain everything so well

[@MyGardenEvolution]

Wow! I'm so glad I watched ❤ will be doing this for sure.

[@scarletletter4900]

I thinks we should be encouraging a wide variety of pollinators; mason bees included.

[@tomcahill6981]

Joe, I think I've seen just about every one of your shows over the years, but I think this one is the best. I plan on getting a few houses myself and for my daughter who lives just outside DC.

[@ggwtv]

Thanks, Tom. I really enjoyed this one too. Such fascinating bees and so under-appreciated. I'm glad we were able to bring this to light.

[@1876Susan]

I love my solitary bees. There are over 200 species of solitary bees in my state.

[@shalilalewis9463]

👍 I just watched "Growing a Greener World" about the Mason Bees on PBS. I didn't know about these bees. Very interesting. Thanks. 😊

[@ninastone9054]

I have a bee house in my yard and the solitary bees seems to enjoy it. I have cells that are covered, some with holes in the covering they put at the end of each cell, small (tiny really) sticks are wedged in some..if you build it they will come. I'm so happy that they call my yard home.

[@karenlatham4053]

I'm going to build Mason bee house's! Can't wait!

[@bestcrossroad]

Wow! I always learn something practical and of great consequence watching your videos, Joe! God bless you. Definitely will raise Mason 🐝 bees. Thank you for this. I noticed a lot more bees, butterflies 🦋, dragonflies this season in my garden because I inter-planted so many flowers with my vegetables. And it would be awesome to raise Mason bees this coming season. (💝 from Zone 7b)

[@ggwtv]

Thanks, Tess. We gotta keep learning!

[@lisahersch8619]

Thank you. Very educational and interesting!

[@jeff6899]

I noticed what I "believe" were hundreds of Mason bees on my 2 early blooming Azure Germander plants here in Metro Phx (Tempe) plants, beginning ~3 wks ago...I certified 3 habitats over 7 yrs ago & have nearly 500 plants, plus 6 + raised beds. But I have yet to proactively raise these, though I communicated w/ a group last yr on investing in some pre-manufactured homes (maybe this guy ?? I know there was an education or knowledge component) after investing a couple bks over the past 2 yrs. Had momentum to do it this yr, but felt I was already behind the curve by then. And I really am hung up on making sure I do it SAFELY (keeping hm's clean, virus free, largely predation-free, Etc.); correctly. Glad I watched this terrific video, as I want to invest next yr for sure in some homes for them, whether homemade (I am a bit of a DIY guy) or a supplier. Obviously, it appears I may have them from somewhere--but would love to propagate more of them ! Joe's video's are informative, entertaining, efficient, completely no-nonsense..and always well produced. Thx, Joe !!

[@ILjobber1]

I have Mason bee nests and will get more for next year, Also Leafcutter bee they are both neat!

[@ilovevideostories]

so great. i had no idea. i love this and will start right away.

[@Dot2TrotsLowCarbLiving]

This is so cool!

[@christinnascreations9072]

Awesome 🐝💚! Luv yah 💕

[@mondraymondo]

Oh i see, so thats why bee hotels are made. It wasn’t for honey bee colony but for the solitary ones? I am so making it soon

[@mywoolmitten]

So interesting and inspiring

[@randyc754]

Good info! I'm on it!

[@amandabuchanan5689]

Need 2 go harvest some of my grandmas abundance off Mason bees at her house for mine she only live 30min up the road should work lol

[@tobruz]

Is that bee guy the hologram doctor on Star Trek?

[@thepockethaven]

😂 He does kind of look like Robert Picardo! Haha.

[@DavePettittVoiceOver]

Now that my bees have hatched and are active, I’m not sure if I should be swapping out the tubes or waiting. I want to make sure I’m giving these little buddies the best chance to thrive. I appreciate any advice.

[@bunnirankey8016]

Thanks for this, love it so much. Made a few houses one year, and paper tubes.....dont know where the bees went tho??

[@robertamebs1373]

It looks as though my bees aren't emerging ... all plugged up!

[@cqammaz53]

This is what I'm looking for I'm not interested in collecting honey I just need them to pollenate my plate. Having said that I live in Pa. cold weather How can these bees survive if they do not store honey for winter?

[@ggwtv]

The cocoons overwinter and emerge in spring. The adult bees that lay the eggs do not survive the winter. They have a short lifecycle.

[@prettybird2588]

Where is the information regarding the guests website you have on your show? What’s the name of the company how can we order the mason bees houses and sign up for the newsletter?

[@margaretcox1365]

I live in northern British Columbia Canada where the temp can drop to -30° & don't have a unheated garage so where can I put the bee house until spring?

[@scarletletter4900]

do you have something that can cover the bee house over the winter?

[@CrownBees]

You can harvest your mason bee cocoons and store them in your fridge where the constant cold temperature helps the bees conserve their fat during hibernation. You can learn more about winter storage here: crownbees.com/harvest-store-cocoons

[@alliehamilton-calhoun162]

I've had a terrible problem with assassin bugs hanging out on my flowers. I have no idea why people think they're beneficial insects. I see them kill _so_ many of my bees every day of every spring & summer. I squish them between my shoes when I find them. They're very smart, they brazenly hang out on my mason bee houses. Any suggestions on what to do about this?

[@renogreens4273]

Did he state that the end of JUNE he takes away the filled tubes and put them in a shed or garage for the Winter? Won't the bees hatch prior to Winter and be unable to pollinate and get food?

[@jamierackley2447]

Yes. End of June....bees stay larvae until spring...but I am unclear about when to bring the tubes out again.

[@jennhardy1666]

you bring the bees out into their house when it starts to warm up (spring) when you start to see the dandilions

[@debrawaller9401]

I want to do this right away can I start in the winter I don’t see the link to order the houses to put up please help me with this

[@anafindlay1696]

You can use Google to find website. crownbee.com

[@anafindlay1696]

You can check out their website they have loads of information crownbee.com

[@chamasjiro]

@@anafindlay1696 This is what I get when I go to that link...uniregistry.com/market/domain/crownbee.com?landerid=crownbee5df90bb9dc3459.19634320

[@chamasjiro]

Corret link...crownbees.com/

[@TylerAndToast]

What keeps birds or wasps out?

[@jeffz724]

Birds and squirrels can be kept from the holes by having the tubes set back 1-3" from the front of the bee house, and by using hardware cloth across the front with 3/4" openings.

[@shainh70]

Will they coexicist with honey bees?

[@Brodmann312]

Absolutely.

[@Sara-gl8ue]

I see honeybees and native bees coexisting peacefully in my yard 😊

[@annwilliams4627]

do plants automaticaly have growth hormones

[@everyday_treasures]

Can you tell me what size lumber should be used?

[@TheSamba37]

Whatever size you have. I'm pretty sure the bees couldn't care less about the size of anything aside from the reed/tube.

[@jodypratt2365]

wondering HOW you keep wasp/hornets and yellow jackets from going in the holes?

[@TheSamba37]

The bad, nuisance wasps and hornets are eusocial and wouldn't be nesting here. Any wasp or hornet nesting here is going to be less populous and more predatory to other nuisance insects, making them beneficial to your property and gardens.

[@Sara-gl8ue]

​@@TheSamba37I love the wasps in my yard. I enjoy watching them hunt for the pests on my veggies and flowers.

[@stberchmans]

Regarding the mason bee: I’m not following what he said about females on the inside and males on the outside. Is there any help for understanding what he means?

[@ggwtv]

I think they're very responsive on their website. You should email them through their contact page and pose that question. You'll best your best answer from Dave Hunter their or their staff.

[@frithar]

Mark Du Pont the hole/reed only has one entrance. The female climbs in deep, lays an egg that's female, then patches it up with a tiny wall of mud. Then she lays another female egg and walls that up, etc. Now she's getting near the opening of the reed, and she lays her male eggs there and walls those up closer to the entrance. Females deep in, males closer to the entrance.

[@what7287]

3:39 just like human females