How To Build a MASON BEE HOUSE - From SINGLE FENCE BOARD - Easy DIY

In this video, I build a simple Mason Bee house using a single fence board you can pick up at any Big Box store. This step-by-step video is easy to follow if you need to assemble a house quickly.
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natureyardlife...

[@bobmariano3731]

👍⚾️🐝

[@natureyardlife]

Thanks!

[@928RENTALS]

Great video!. What is the reason for the shelf? I don't see these on other mason bee homes.

[@natureyardlife]

Thanks! The shelf is there to place the cocoons on for release in the spring. I actually use small jar lids to hold the cocoons and then I slide the lids into the shelf. I have a short video showing/explaining this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epbJiIp8n86BqZY

[@928RENTALS]

@@natureyardlife thank you!

[@928RENTALS]

@@natureyardlife one more question...can you start a bee house without cocoons?

[@natureyardlife]

@@928RENTALS You certainly can....however, there is no guarantee that you will get any bees to actually nest....it all depends if your garden area, or where every you put up your bee house, is a desirable place for random bees to take up residence. You can encourage them by making sure you have early season blooming flowers that will provide a source of food for them as well as pollen for their nests chambers. Also, be sure to have some clay mud around in the area, so the bees have a source material to build their chamber walls. By putting up a bee house, you are at least providing an option for your local friends to nest in.....you may also attack other bees, such as leaf cutter bees if you put up a house. Whatever you decide to do, you are helping out in some capacity none the less. Good Luck!

[@natureyardlife]

If you are not sure if there are mason bees in your area, or you don't get any to nest, you can always order a small box of bees (online) to start your colony. I started with 20 bees my first year....this is my 6th year and my colony is about 2500 bees. I give away a lot of cocoons every season, not only to help others locals start their colonies, but I also don't have the capacity to support more than that in my yard area. Bottom line.... easier to get started with a small batch of cocoons and then grow your colony, than to wait for local bees to "discover" your nesting tubes. My bee houses have slots that I put the cocoons in for hatching, so when the bees emerge, they already see the tubes waiting for them....it works really well this way.

[@hankfoto]

What size tubes did you use and where can I purchas them.?

[@natureyardlife]

There are different size tubes available, but a typical size that I find works well is 5/16 inch diameter and 6 inches long. You can go a little longer or shorter in length if you choose. Finding them in a typical pet store can be challenging, so I always buy them on Amazon...here's an example: www.amazon.com/URATOT-Outdoor-Cardboard-Beekeeper-Replacement I also like to line my tubes with paper which makes it easier to harvest the cocoons...here is my video for that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eobdf55qrZaXgLs Good luck!

[@vincentdemarro2989]

How did you set up your sled? I'd like to make that.

[@natureyardlife]

I used a 3/8 plywood base -14x20 - this is the size of my table saw top...I'd have preferred bigger, but it's a portable saw, so limited size. I cut two strips for the sled channels, slightly less deep and more narrow than the channels themselves. To attach these, I put them in the channels, slightly proud using something under them, put glue on the top of them and then lay the plywood over them. Next, I flipped the plywood and secure the strips. Added 2x4 boards for the front and back - with additional topping pieces to hold it all together, as the plywood will be cut in half on the first pass over the saw. Stacked a few 2x4 cuttings for the blade guard at one end. Just make sure when you are attaching everything, that none of your screws or nails end up in the path of the blade when you start cutting. Also, plan for angular cuts too, for when you slant the blade.

[@scottshanklin9174]

Where do you get the tubes

[@natureyardlife]

Hi Scott, good question. I could never find them in any gardening store, nor big box store. Over the last few years, I've just ordered them on Amazon - www.amazon.com/s?k=mason+bee+tubes&crid=2B5F8OMDD5H9F&sprefix=mason+be+tubes%2Caps%2C146&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_14 Be sure to check the length that you want. 6 inches is the typical size, but I ordered 5 inch once by mistake - the bees used them all the same. I don't recommend shorter than 5 though, as the first two or three cocoons are female and the rest male. If the tube is too short, the ratio will be off - it's usually about 2-3 female and 4-6 male.