| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| ranchetta |
Posted - Mar 04 2009 : 10:13:17 AM
A few years ago we purchased 3 tubes of Mason bees and our colony has grown. (We've added more "apartments" for them.) At first I thought they were big flies until I got a closer look. They're such non aggressive hard workers.......a great addition to a garden.
Does anyone have these bees?
I have some pictures of them on my blog along with a link too a very informative web site.
http://curlywillowsranch.blogspot.com/
http://alteredshots.blogspot.com/ |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| OregonGal |
Posted - Mar 10 2009 : 5:20:34 PM
My dh and I put a little woodpile by the attached garage door, and while walking by it one time I saw
some little black bees flying aroiund the pile. I did not know what they were, so I stopped to watch
what they were doing (I love to observe things - nature things in particular) and saw that the
pieces of branches (about 2-3 inches in diameter) all had holes in the center, and these little
black bees were going in and out of them! When I read up on what they were, my dh and I made
a motel out of a 4 x 4 piece of wood about two feet long. I keep it in the garage after the holes
are mudded over, then take it out in the spring when it warms up. Hopefully by keeping it in the
back of the garage til its warm out, the predators don't get them, AND I can time it so that they are
out when the trees are just coming into bloom. Great little workers they are, and you are right
Carol, they do not live long - just long enough to produce the babies for next year. |
| tribalcime |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 2:22:41 PM
those are fascinating. I had never realized there were mason bees
LIfe is a witch ~~~ and then ya fly !! My blogspot .http://tribalwitch.blogspot.com/ and my barter blog is at www.bartertribalwitch.blogspot.com and www.alteredartfun.blogspot.com |
| LynnMarie |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 10:34:14 AM
Thanks Marybeth, I didn't know the difference in the bees. Since Mason Bees live in the wood block, I thought it was the same bee. Are they related? Guess I want Carpenter bees since I moved and no longer have fruit trees. Do you know what plants attract them?
I'll check out that web site.
Bringing the Past Back to Life
www.freewebs.com/decampsettlement
"You may never know what results come from your action. But, if you do nothing, there will be no results" -Gandhi |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 10:11:06 AM
Lynn, Carpenter Bees are Xylocopa virginica and Mason Orchard bees are Osmia lignaria. while both are pollinators carpenter bees go for open faced flowers and Mason bees are orchard pollinaters.
Here is a good site for Mason Bees:http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/inse006/inse006.htm
MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| LynnMarie |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 07:50:16 AM
In Illinois, we call them Carpenter Bees. I plan to put up some "homes" for them this year once I get my garden done. I didn't get a chance to put in a garden last year as I had just moved in March so all I got done was container gardening.
LynnMarie
Bringing the Past Back to Life
www.freewebs.com/decampsettlement
"You may never know what results come from your action. But, if you do nothing, there will be no results" -Gandhi |
| ranchetta |
Posted - Mar 08 2009 : 11:50:54 PM
Guess I never noticed the mason bees in my garden until I bought some, but have found them everywhere on our property since then. Unfortunately they don't seem to live very long......my greenhouse and potting shed always has many dead bees in the windows.
http://curlywillowsranch.blogspot.com/
http://alteredshots.blogspot.com/ |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Mar 08 2009 : 11:10:58 PM
Yes just put the homes up and you have fruit trees they will come. I have never bought any and they are here. If you make your own and they are easy to make out of a piece of 4x4. You do have to drill the proper size hole. I think it is 3/4 inch drill bit. MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| BlackHorseFarm |
Posted - Mar 08 2009 : 8:17:43 PM
I was under the impression that you just had to put up the mason bee homes and they would come, you didn't have to buy them. Is that true? |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Mar 06 2009 : 8:18:44 PM
Mason bees will sting only id squeezed or mashed and it is only like a mosquito bite. they a very non-aggressive. the bees are loners and one seldom sees them. they do not look like bees.
Here is a good site to go to.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchard_mason_bee
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| ranchetta |
Posted - Mar 06 2009 : 4:34:53 PM
Thanks for all the info, Marybeth....haven't had time to do any research but do they sting?
http://curlywillowsranch.blogspot.com/
http://alteredshots.blogspot.com/ |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 9:25:06 PM
The Mason Bees lay eggs in their condos--female eggs towards the back and Male eggs at the front--the reason is that predators trying to get into the nests will eat the male eggs and forget about the other eggs. Mosquitos and wasps and some spiders are predators. Anyway then the bees pack the opening shut with a mud somewhat like barn swallows use to make their nests. Always put your condos up facing south or southeast. In March and april the eggs will hatch and break open the packing just in time for the fruit trees to be blossoming. When i worked at the Nursery I used to give talks about the Mason Bees. I love 'em. They are so beneficial and so overlooked. MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| ranchetta |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 9:09:06 PM
Hey Jami.... Yes, check them out and move them in..just like I did...you'll love them!
Carol
http://curlywillowsranch.blogspot.com/
http://alteredshots.blogspot.com/ |
| Jami |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 2:30:22 PM
I think I saw them in the Lee Valley catalog or somewhere like that. Might take a second look. Thanks! You go, beekeeper Cheryl! You are dauntless, girl.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
| ranchetta |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 2:22:16 PM
Mason bees are not very aggressive at all. They winter over by muddying themselves into small holes. That's why people make them little wood condos. You can ask your local farm co-op or feed store where you can buy them....Maybe even online? There's a great link on my blog page
that has lots of information (just click on the blue type mason bee on the bottom of the blog page) As Mary Beth said they are the best pollinators!
Mary Beth, I'll do some checking whether or not they sting...I just assumed they did if squished!
Chelsey....I too, am allergic and have an epipen but I need my bees so I'm just always extra careful....It's mainly the wasps and yellow jackets that are worrysome to me.
http://curlywillowsranch.blogspot.com/
http://alteredshots.blogspot.com/ |
| nampafarmgirl |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 12:07:40 PM
where would I purchase bees?
Kim
Farmgirl Sister # 302 |
| K-Falls Farmgirl |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 08:04:04 AM
I am not familiar with Mason bees, I have only read a bit about them..Dh & I are driving up to Portland saturday to attend a 4 hour class on Bee keeping. We want to raise our own bees for honey & to pollinate our garden. I am sure the subject of Mason bees may come up with regards to pollination. I pass on any info I get.
Cheryl
Farmgirl #309
Klamath Falls "Charming Chicks Chapter" Mother Hen
Almost daily posts at:
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Come visit the barn at http://barndoorcreations.blogspot.com/
You never know when what you say or do will make a difference...Kerry Kennedy
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| Jami |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 07:52:59 AM
How do they winter over? I am considering a condo for our place.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 06:52:48 AM
Mason Bees are the greatest pollinators--ever. I have two Mason Bee condos that are in constant use. It was so interesting learning all about them. They do look like flies and I don't believe they sting. MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| City Chick |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 03:46:43 AM
You just reminded me of the mason bee home my Mom bought me a few years ago - I need to have hubby put that up for me. Perhaps they'll move in and pollinate my apple trees.
http://www.xanga.com/My_Pondering_Place |
| lacisne88 |
Posted - Mar 04 2009 : 9:01:00 PM
They sound great but I don't have any. Unfortunately I'm allergic to bee stings so I can't get bees even though I would like to have a colony.
Chelsey
Farmgirl Sister #283
http://farmgirlpleasures.blogspot.com/
http://aminiatureworld.blogspot.com/ |
