That's funny @LeadFarmer they always seem to favour the top holes in my houses too! I had around 9 cocoons from last year which I put out to hatch but only a couple did. Not sure why the others didn't. Though I'm sure I read some types take 2 years to hatch?? Rubbish uptake this year, 3 tubes only filled. I have the bees and they merrily sleep in the houses but aren't laying eggs? I actually watched a leafcutter cut leaves right by the house - I got all ready to watch her filling a tube, only for her to fly out of the garden with her leaf! 😂 what's wrong with my bee house!
Yep. When I first got my garden around 6 years ago, I bought a basic bee house - didn't know anything about solitary bees or what it was even for really! I've learnt a lot since then. Anyway, it was a rubbish one, didn't come apart - the bees loved it and it quickly filled with leaves! I don't think I've had as many leafcutters as I did then, didn't even have many plants! Now I focus too much attention on them, growing all the plants they like etc and look what happens, not a lot! Maybe sod's law but also maybe a sign of diminishing numbers?
This is an interesting video from a wildlife biologist and bee specialist in the States. He seems to say that there is no real need to clean out bee boxes. It's a vid detailed watching. Bee talk starts at about min 25
This has been an enjoyable thread for me, thanks for everyones input. Those of us who have moved over to the Gardeners Corner forum, perhaps we can start a new thread over there on the subject?
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Rubbish uptake this year, 3 tubes only filled. I have the bees and they merrily sleep in the houses but aren't laying eggs? I actually watched a leafcutter cut leaves right by the house - I got all ready to watch her filling a tube, only for her to fly out of the garden with her leaf! 😂 what's wrong with my bee house!
This has been an enjoyable thread for me, thanks for everyones input. Those of us who have moved over to the Gardeners Corner forum, perhaps we can start a new thread over there on the subject?
Bee nesting season is just around the corner.....