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Return to the Bees and Beekeeping Forum | Post a Follow-Up

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Mason Bees full tubes

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Posted by nicsbees ~8 (My Page) on
Thu, May 18, 06 at 17:01

I live in the Puget Sound region near Seattle. I have made a few mason bee houses out of solid wood and cardboard tubes (cloths hanger tubes). Anyway, most of the holes/tubes are full, about 50. What do I do with the houses now. Summer hasn't even started. Should I refridgerate them now or wait til fall? Will they hatch and start a new life cycle?
I am wondering if 5-7 mason bees could have done all that work. I had very few this spring to start with. I hung them on the east side of the house next to a window, so we can observe them from inside the house. Also, not a day goes by that my wife doesn't check on thier progress. Thanks for any help.

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RE: Mason Bees full tubes

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  • Posted by jean001 z8aPortland, OR (My Page) on
    Fri, May 19, 06 at 0:50

WSU has a pdf with general care, and describes the stages (month by month) for mason bees.
Orchard Mason Bees (WSU Extension King County Hort Fact Sheet #83)
http://www.metrokc.gov/dchs/csd/wsu-ce/agriculture/PDFs/MasonBee.pdf

Here is a link that might be useful: Mason Bes (WSU)

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RE: Mason Bees full tubes

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I live out by Seatc airport, nicsbees, and I didn't do anything with mine over the winter and they seemed fine and I have a lot more closed holes than I had last year. Mine are on the west side in the afternoon sun. I like watching their activaties when I come home from work.

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RE: Mason Bees full tubes

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I am really excited to read about your bees. This year I'd love to make my own bee houses. Is it difficult? And then, do you have to buy the cardboard inserts? And, bees? Do you have to buy those as well, or as they say "build it and they'll come"? Please tell me about your personal experiences. Thanks a lot

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RE: Mason Bees full tubes

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  • Posted by terran zone 10/Sunset 20 (My Page) on
    Mon, Mar 12, 07 at 2:35

The WSU link did not work for me. Try this search at WSU for information.

http://www.googlesyndicatedsearch.com/u/washingtonstateuniversity?q=Orchard+Mason+Bees

Terran

Here is a link that might be useful: WSU Orchard Mason Bees

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RE: Mason Bees full tubes

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The WSU link for fact sheet #83 must have changed. Here it is: http://king.wsu.edu/foodandfarms/documents/MasonBee.pdf

Flora2, the paper straws are optional but make it easier to keep the houses clean from year to year. I bought my straws for this year (my first) but then saw that some people make them out of baking parchment. I have seen houses made of blocks of wood, including chunks of tree trunk, with 5/16" holes drilled in them. Also metal cans or wood boxes with bundles of straws inside. I made mine out of a 2x4 but I think the holes are too short so I'll make a deeper one next year. I bought bee cocoons but many people just put out houses and the bees appear! I may try that in another location.

  
 

 

 


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