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Barnyard Buddies:  Mason Bees  |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7008 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7008 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 07 2014 : 05:51:52 AM
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Forgive me if I have posted this in the wrong place.
I have been hearing about Mason Bees so I ordered a book on them. I wanted to study them before I decided if it's something I need to invest my money, energy, and time in.
The book came yesterday and I have just skimmed through it. Hope to really start reading it today.
Any common sense help and personal experience with Mason Bees will be appreciated.
Add: Lately I have seen small non-aggressive bees visiting my plants, so today I ordered reed tubes. Will wait until next spring to put tubes in back yard. I have to wait and see where the morning sun shines at that time of year.
I have from now to then to find a container for the tubes. If the local bees like the tubes it will save me from having to buy mason bees.
Hugs, Sara
Walk in Peace.
Live with Joy. |
Edited by - YellowRose on Sep 09 2014 09:38:46 AM |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6625 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6625 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2014 : 06:06:01 AM
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Hello Sara, I too tried my hand at Mason Bees this summer and below is the original link I posted that has some photos of the process and others weighing in.
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=66249
All of my bees hatched and I have found evidence of the leaf cutting circles that they make ( Florida only has the Leafcutter Mason Bee Variety). However, I have not seen them returning to their house and I am not sure if I will find that they laid any cocoons inside at the end of summer. It has been a very fun experiment and I do hope I will get some cocoons to save and then hatch next Spring. I plan on trying again next year to develop a healthy population for my yard and neighborhood. They are easier to manage because the bees don't require the necessary structure for a Queen Bee. Plus, they don't have venom like Honey Bees so their sting is not as powerful or potentially harmful.
Let us know what you decide to do and I welcome any tips you learn. We can learn together!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7008 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7008 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2014 : 06:53:11 AM
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Winnie, thanks so much for the link to your post. I will copy the address so I can refer to it when needed. The pictures are great. Looking forward to learning more from you.
Hugs, Sara
Walk in Peace.
Live with Joy. |
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kysheeplady
True Blue Farmgirl
1291 Posts
Teri
KY
USA
1291 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2014 : 09:52:15 AM
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Sara,
I have had Mason bees for a few years now. We took a big blog of wood and drilled holes in it. Works much better than the tubes, we get to much wind and I was finding the tubes (even tho sheltered) blown out of the box.
Teri
"There are black sheep in every flock"
www.whitesheepfarm.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/whitesheepprimitive |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7008 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7008 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2014 : 10:15:13 AM
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Thanks Teri, that's a good idea.
Sara
Walk in Peace - Live with Joy
FarmGirl Sister #6034 Aug 25, 2014 |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Sep 10 2014 : 10:21:03 AM
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Interesting post. I haven't heard of these and I will look it up....always love a new learning challenge.
I'm wondering, before I look into it, if they are the same kind of bees that I call Carpenter Bees.
I will return to the conversation!
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7008 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7008 Posts |
Posted - Sep 10 2014 : 11:12:43 AM
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No, if you're referring to those nasty black little bee-critters that bore holes in wood especially in old barns and sheds. I am always chasing them off the posts on my craft cottage's porch.
Mason bees are smaller than honey bees and don't produce honey. They are good pollinators. They are solidary but communal in that they live separately next to each other.
The book I bought is The Orchard Mason Bee by Brian L. Griffin. There are other books out and info on-line.
Between now & spring I will be reading up on what plants will attract them.
Sara
Walk in Peace - Live with Joy
FarmGirl Sister #6034 Aug 25, 2014 |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Sep 10 2014 : 12:59:26 PM
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I'm back, did some research. I'm gonna watch bees more carefully and see what I've got flying around here. Maybe I'll have some of these Mason Bees!
Sara, you're right, they're definitely NOT the carpenter bees. I was kinda wondering why you'd want those around. haha I have so many holes on my porches. An exterminator told me to wait until dusk when they return to their nest hole and then fill the hole with caulk. They die in there.
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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Barnyard Buddies: Mason Bees |
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Mason Bees
