Colin's mason bees in the George P box did really well. (Episode 2). He shows how female cocoons are twice the size of the male. Good to know for ID purps. He shows lovely footage of the emergence.
I am going to leave my cocoons in situ in their boxes until April (in the porch), then take out them out and clean up and preserve the boxes.
Anyone able to advise what to do with my occupied nesting tubes? Ive got them stored away in my garage (where they can hatch and fly out easily) but not sure whether to open the tubes for the cocoons or not. If so, do I just soak the cardboard tubes in water? Is it ok to do it now? What happens to any stored pollen in the tubes, surely they need this when they hatch?
This site below says you don't have to soak the tubes in water, you can just unravel by hand. My understanding is that the pollen stored is only for the grub to eat in the cell before turning into the cocoon. When the mason bees emerge in the spring they immediately forage. I leave my cocoons in the nest box until April to help protect from predators like spiders. I will remove the cocoons, put them in the release chamber, clean and oil the boxes and then pu them back out in the garden.
This site below says you don't have to soak the tubes in water, you can just unravel by hand. My understanding is that the pollen stored is only for the grub to eat in the cell before turning into the cocoon. When the mason bees emerge in the spring they immediately forage. I leave my cocoons in the nest box until April to help protect from predators like spiders. I will remove the cocoons, put them in the release chamber, clean and oil the boxes and then pu them back out in the garden.
Thanks Fire. I was wondering about the risk of mites etc inside the tubes and if there was a need to remove them soonest.
What kind of oil do you use on the nest box? I think George P recommends Osmo oil, which isn't cheap, but I do have a 2.5L tin of the stuff from when I oiled my internal oak doors.
We did discuss mites at one point. @wild edges suggested that any mites in residence might well just be benign cleaners and nothing to worry about.
George writes
"Your Nest Box has been treated with Osmo paint. Osmo offers a natural and environmentally friendly alternative to wood finishing. Based on natural and renewable vegetable oils which penetrate deeply into the wood, which helps to keep the wood flexible and healthy preventing it from drying out and becoming brittle, allows wood to breathe, enabling moisture to evaporate whilst providing a water and dirt resistant surface. It does not crack, peel, flake or blister. It is durable, prevents wood swelling and is UV resistant. It enhances the wood grain and the colour emphasises where the entrance holes are found. It is highly recommended that you repaint with Osmo One Coat or linseed oil in the autumn annually. Do not paint the Nesting Blocks as the paint might deter bees from nesting or worse, poison them. If you want to use another paint, please ensure that you use a water based emulsion and not chemical oil based paints. Do not use wood preserver as this may be toxic. Decide if you want to treat your Nest box with insect barrier glue as below."
I guess we wouldn't need much Osmo for a small pot. I guess linseed is cheaper. I usually use teak oil on wood in the garden, but it contains all sorts.
@LeadFarmer the second the bees hatch, they are off! They don't hang about, so they don't need nectar - I filmed mine hatching this year but don't know how to get video on here. Mine last year were kept out of the tubes in clear plastic pots with air holes in the shed. You don't need to worry about them hatching any time soon, it won't happen until April most likely. I wouldn't want to be cleaning the bee house out in April when they are likely hatching.
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If so, do I just soak the cardboard tubes in water?
Is it ok to do it now?
What happens to any stored pollen in the tubes, surely they need this when they hatch?
What kind of oil do you use on the nest box? I think George P recommends Osmo oil, which isn't cheap, but I do have a 2.5L tin of the stuff from when I oiled my internal oak doors.
Yes, I guess somewhat earlier, when the weather starts to warm a bit.
You have to use a platform like Youtube and then add the link here. You just the paste the web address here - don't add a hyperlink.
Here we are, my first ever video posted on YouTube! Be patient, I didnt know how long it would take when I started filming!
How long had you been waiting and watching to catch them hatching?