How to Make a Bee House for Mason Bees
Learn how to make an easy bee house for mason bees or other solitary bees. Honey bees won't use this house, but mason bees and a few other kinds will. They use it to lay their eggs for the following year.
The kind of bees that use this house aren't aggressive since they don't have a hive of honey to protect. They are excellent pollinators and can help the local eco system by pollinating flowers and vegetables. You can buy 6 foot sections of bamboo or buy precut 6 inch sections of bamboo.
You will need:
- 18 Feet Bamboo Stakes
- Marker
- Natural Twine
- Measuring Tape
- Hand Saw/Knife (or power saw)
- Scissors
Cut the bamboo into 6 inch sections. This is the optimal length for mason bees, so don't cut them too short.
Use twine to secure a bundle of bamboo together. Wrap it around several times so it's secure.
Take another section of twine and use it to make a hanger. I used four layers of twine for more strength. Then hang it up out of the elements.
Rain or moisture can cause fungus or bacteria to grow. It's best to hang it under an eave or somewhere that's out of the rain. I make a new one every year so I don't risk getting microbes in mine. This is easy to make, so I don't mind making a few each year.
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Nice! Thanks for sharing!
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Very cool project!
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