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Perfectly Imperfect Life..........

Friday, February 21, 2020

Raising Mason Bees

Mason Bees are easy to raise and are very gentle, amazing pollinators.
They nest in pre-made holes, whether made by other birds, such as Woodpeckers or man made.  We can help increase their populations by raising them in our backyard gardens.  

Mason Bees are one of the easiest to keep.  Because they do not make honey, Mason Bees prove to be docile enough to only sting when stepped on or provoked. 

Several flowers, vegetable, fruits and herbs benefit from being pollinated by Mason Bees, especially yellow, blue and purple tones .  
Mason Bees, like all other bees cannot see certain colors, like reds.


Attracting Mason Bees

Native bees are attracted to native plants four times more likely than to other blooms.  A welcoming blooming variety plant environment will be necessary during their active season.  Wild flowers and native plants are a great place to start when appealing to Mason Bees.

A few flowers Mason Bees Like:

Acacia
Acacia flowers have bright yellow puffy clusters of blooms. Mason Bees can see the yellow clearly which makes them extra alluring to them.

Canterbury Bells
The delicate royal blue blossoms of the Canterbury Bells attracts a variety of pollinating creatures, including Mason Bees.
Daisies
Attracting Mason Bees with Daisies only requires that you grow appropriate colors--yellow, purple, blue and several varieties of those color tones.


Moist soil is a must for survival. The female lays her eggs inside the holes of the bee house. Using this soil, like mortar, she creates safe chambers for her eggs and a cache of nectar.
  
When you see Mason Bees flying around your yard,
 take your shovel and turn over a patch of damp soil for them.

The Mason Bee, as well as all Bees, decline is related to pesticides, 
climate change, drought, diseases, loss of habitat and predators to name a few.
Pesticides are not only bad them, but for us too,
 so we need to stay away from them.

Did you know Bees get thirsty?
Bees need access to safe water sources.
They often risk drowning in birdbaths or being eaten at rivers and lakes by birds, fish, frogs, and other wildlife. This is why they often fly around our clotheslines and may even land on us if we're in an outdoor pool on a hot day.

Bees know exactly where to return to the same water source each time. 
Foragers seems to seek scented water sources.  They even mark unscented
sources with a pheromone so others can locate it easily.

One way you can be sure Mason Bees have access to water is by adding 
marbles to a pan, then adding water. 

The marbles give the bees a spot 
to land so they don't drown when they drink.

Do change the water frequently to avoid mosquitoes laying eggs
 in the water. 


Provide them with a home, some mud, wildflowers/flowers, 
 some water and Mason Bees will come to pollinate your plants into a beautiful garden full of flowers fruits and vegetables. 





5 comments:

  1. I raised Honey Bees, but haven't heard of Mason bees. I had a bee habitat welcoming all types of bees and bugs, but it finally wore out. I'm going to get another now. I'm also trying to save little critters, especially ones that went for water and didn't have a way of getting out.

    My family thinks I'm nuts too, but that's the way I was raised. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Us nutty people need to stick together ;) LOL We may be nutty, but we're pretty smart! My Mason Bee house needs to be replaced this year, it's seen better days.
      Bees are so important. My yard is full of all kinds - in different areas. Love those big black Bumbles! They'll have my Rosemary in the front yard covered. I'll be pulling weeds, they're doing their thing, I'm doing mine. People walk by and yell "OMG there are Bees by you!" So many people are scared of Bees. I just ignore them, they ignore me.

      Now Yellow Jackets, they don't need an excuse to chase someone! I head the other way if I see those! LOL

      Delete
  2. You are not crazy! you are brilliant! Thank you so much for this info on Mason bees. I have worked beside them in my garden and they seem to know that I'm caring for the plants, and are not aggressive. I have to get marbles for the bee "water hole." Should it be placed on the ground or elevated. Thanks! Chris

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  3. I don't think it really matter. I have one in the front yard and one in the backyard. The one in from is a pan set inside a leaky birdbath. So it's raised. The one in the backyard is set near but away from the pond and on the ground. I've seen them as well as other kinds in both. Have fun!!

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  4. Thank you for your information on putting out water with marbles or rocks for the bees to drink. I am going to do so right away. We have to help these insects any way we can.

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I'd love for you to leave me a comment. Helps me to know I'm not totally crazy...like my family thinks I am!
*hugs*deb

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