Bamboo makes the perfect hollow tube to make a bee mason house. Bamboo is an invasive species here in South Carolina, so it is not hard to find. The ideal hole size for mason bees is 5/16". I got a variety of bamboo sizes, so hopefully enough of them will be the right size.
For the structure of the bee mason house I used an old bird feeder. I've seen where people have used flower pots, wide pipes, or built a structure. The only important thing about the structure is that it has a back to prevent wind from blowing through the holes.
I took out the plastic on one side of the bird feeder and then began cutting the bamboo to fit, which was about three inches.
Then I stacked the bamboo in the birdhouse, using the smaller pieces to fill in the gaps.
Now its time to hang it up and wait to see if the mason bees approve of my home building. I read that the best location for bee mason houses is facing the morning sun.
The bee mason house is up and ready for some spring tenants that will hopefully decide to make my garden their new home.
What a fantastic project! Love it! Here's hoping some friendly bees will find it and move it.
ReplyDeleteGreat project. I think half the fun of things like that is really in the job, not always the finished product (which isn't always as nice as I thought it would be). Do you know if there are those kind of bees around western Washington?
ReplyDeleteOne of the documents I read about mason bees was from Western Washington University, so I assume they must be in your part of the world too.
DeleteThis is awesome! Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteBased on your name this should be the perfect project for you!
DeleteWhat a great idea. I've been thinking about buying one but making one from what's already around the garden sounds so much better!
ReplyDeleteDid your bee house work? I'd love an update. Thanks!
ReplyDelete