Diy Mason Bee House

Mason bees are solitary bees that are great pollinators for fruits, vegetables, and flowers. They are also very easy to attract to your yard by building them a simple house.

To make a DIY mason bee house, you will need:

• A piece of untreated wood (about 6 inches by 6 inches and 1 inch thick)
• A drill
• A variety of drill bit sizes (ranging from 1/8 inch to 5/16 inch)
• Sandpaper
• Screws
• A saw
• A hammer
• A variety of nesting materials (such as paper straws, bamboo sections, or reeds)
• A small dish of mud or clay (optional)

Instructions:

1. Drill holes in the wood at different depths and diameters. The holes should be deep enough for the bees to lay their eggs in, but not so deep that the bees can’t get out. A good rule of thumb is to make the holes 4 inches deep for 5/16 inch diameter holes, and 3 inches deep for 1/8 inch diameter holes.
2. Sand the wood smooth to remove any splinters.
3. Cut the nesting materials to length so that they fit snugly in the holes.
4. Attach the wood to a post or tree in a sunny spot, about 5 feet off the ground.
5. If you want, you can place a small dish of mud or clay near the bee house. The bees will use the mud to seal the entrances to their nests.

Once your bee house is up, it’s just a matter of waiting for the bees to arrive! They should start moving in within a few weeks.

Here are some tips for attracting mason bees to your yard:

• Plant plenty of flowering plants. Mason bees are attracted to a variety of flowers, but they especially love blue and yellow flowers.
• Provide a source of water. Mason bees need water to drink and to mix with mud to seal their nests. Place a shallow dish of water near the bee house, and add some pebbles or stones so that the bees can land and drink without falling in.
• Avoid using pesticides. Pesticides can harm mason bees and other beneficial insects. If you must use pesticides, choose a product that is labeled as bee-safe.

By following these simple tips, you can attract mason bees to your yard and help to support these important pollinators.