Comments on: Hives for Pollination and Conservation

By: Kim

Kim — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 11:45:14 +0000

I just started hives this summer and let my back yard grow into a meadow instead of mowing to see what wild flowers would grow for the bees. Not only was there plenty more flowers that the bees seem to take to but there was lots of milkweed and I saw monarchs again after years of not seeing them. I have found that there are so many “weeds” that turned out to be beautiful wildflower.

By: Lois

Lois — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 17:39:25 +0000

I have purchased the mason bee hive you have pictured here. I need instructions on hanging it. How high should it be hung and is it important to face any particular direction? Would appreciate your response. Thank you. Lois

By: Demarus

Demarus — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 03:55:17 +0000

Mason bees need to live in cavities of the right diameter and the house offered by Gardener’s Supply is not a good long-term choice. The soft outer material is not rain-proof and mold will grow. The bamboo reeds are not consistent sizes and you can’t open the reeds without harming the cocoons. Nesting material should be opened and inspected at the end of the season in order to remove pollen mites and remove other signs of pests.

By: Demarus

Demarus — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 03:51:12 +0000

In reply to Henry. Mason bees emerge in the spring, depending on where you are they start to fly in 55+ weather and fly as adults for 4-6 weeks. Leafcutter bees finish developing in warmer temps and start to fly in 70-75+F weather so they are summer pollinators. You can get both types of bees from Crown Bees.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 29 May 2015 02:48:26 +0000

In reply to tom. No problem. I've got horny, mason, and tons of bumble all living in my yard.

By: Henry

Henry — Fri, 22 May 2015 00:52:36 +0000

Looking for answers: Am considering putting in the Mason Bee. I live in the high desert of California, in the summer, 100 degree temps are the norm. How can the Mason Bee endure this temp extreme?? Seeking prolific pollinators for vegetables and flowers, open to suggestions please?!? — Henry

By: tom

tom — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 15:16:30 +0000

can Mason bees share space with regular honey bees ? ( I have 1/2 acre, which i’m planting more flowers?clover/etc each year)

By: martha ramsey

martha ramsey — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 12:59:48 +0000

For two years I had bees who came to my porch apparently for water. I first noticed them when the kept visiting the cats’ water bowl. I had a large hollow rock which ha broken in half so I started keeping it filled with water. They soon began to drink from this sxclusively. I never knew that bees required water, but this apparently wild hive of bees came everyday, drank and flew off always in the same direction’. Sadly, they did not return last year. I can’t know if the hive died or if lifting of the droughty condions in in TX made water more available.
Could somone tell me whether red wasps might have driven them off ?

By: Liz

Liz — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 01:55:03 +0000

I plan on starting a few honeybee colonies this year. Can these bees coexist in the same close vicinity with two colonies?

By: barbara

barbara — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 01:43:46 +0000

I had peeled some apples and put the peelings out for the birds and squirrels. It rained and the birdbath was full of water and apple peelings. When I went out to check i found about a dozen honeybees just having a dinner on the peelings and water! I will try to keep water and fruit out for them. They seemed to be enjoying it!