How deep should Mason bee tubes be?

Holes should be drilled at least 5 inches deep. However, holes that are 6 inches or deeper are best for the proper ratio of male to females bees.

How long do Mason bee tubes need to be?

The bees like that. But the thing that attracted me was the size, advertised as being 7.75 inches long and 0.31 inches in diameter. The ideal diameter for mason bees is said to be 5/16-inch. When you convert 5/16 to decimals, it comes out to 0.3125 inches.

Are mason bee houses good?

Mason bees are known for their beneficial work of pollinating plants and flowers. They are also easy to tame and not aggressive as the honey bee. The best mason bee houses will make it possible for you to attract and keep these beneficial bees in your garden or backyard.

How do you attract mason bees?

During the early spring months, you can try attracting mason bees by providing nesting tunnels, plenty of bee food, and a mud source. Mason bee houses can be bought or made from wood, thick paper straws, or hollow reeds. My father started his mason bees years ago by making a few wooden nest blocks in one afternoon.

What do you do with a mason bee house in the winter?

Mason bees over winter as pupae….Follow these eight simple steps to give your mason bees the best chance at a thriving population.

Step 1: Remove the tubes.
Step 2: Remove the cocoons.
Step 3: Sorting.
Step 4: Bath.
Step 5: Selecting.
Step 6: Refrigerate your cocoons.
Step 7: Wait.
Step 8: Release your bees.

Where is the best place to hang a mason bee house?

The optimal location to hang your mason bee house is 6 to 7 feet off the ground, preferably under an eave of your house, garage, shed or some other shelter. If this is not an option, choose a house design that provides adequate shelter from the elements on its own, like the Beeworks Kit with Bees.

What kind of wood do mason bees like?

You can use any untreated block of wood (except cedar, which naturally repels insects) and a 5/16-inch drill bit—that seems to be the size hole that mason bees favor most. You can use a template to evenly space the holes if you’d like, but the mason bees really don’t care either way.

What direction should a mason bee house face?

The Bee House should be placed against a flat surface and located in an area protected from high winds. The front of the house should have a south or southwest exposure where it will get the most sun in winter to keep bees warm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr2-bvMuvls