I am wondering about getting two Pilkington bee boxes with clear sides (featured above) for my local primary school nature education centre. It's unlikely that they would get cleaned out and tended regularly, as might be ideal. Is it worth not having any boxes at all, or having some that are left to their own devices, do you think?
I am wondering about getting two Pilkington bee boxes with clear sides (featured above) for my local primary school nature education centre. It's unlikely that they would get cleaned out and tended regularly, as might be ideal. Is it worth not having any boxes at all, or having some that are left to their own devices, do you think?
George Pilkington hardly ever has them in stock, I was lucky in that I checked frequently and as soon as they appeared I purchased some. Im going to attempt to make some more myself.
George gives very full instructions. As I understand it, head height or just above is good, and south facing. I had to order mine from George in advance, he makes them to order. It's a very precise and specific design with sanded surfaces and entrances. It might be worth holding on for George, although, no doubt Covid times have put even more pressure on him.
George gives very full instructions. As I understand it, head height or just above is good, and south facing. I had to order mine for George in advance, he makes them to order. It's a very precise and specific design with sanded surfaces and entrances. It might be worth holding on for George, although, no doubt Covid times have put even more pressure on him.
Thanks, I did mange to get my hands on the solitary box and the bumble bee box. I've sited the solitary box in the wood store against my house which is south facing. I haven't sited the bumble bee box yet as it needs to be around ground level and I need to prepare a site.
They don't clean them out though @NewBoy2, they're not able to do that, so you don't know what bacteria and predators will have moved into the holes. When I emptied my bee house of cocoons, there were a few nasties in there that would probably have eaten the entire tube of bees if I hadn't got rid of them first.
Solitary bees are completely different from honey bees so I don't think your friend would be able to advise, unless she happens to know about all bees! I think I posted a picture on this thread and you can see some little white maggoty things in one cell. If you can get the tubes cleaned then I would definitely do it now, quick before they turn up this year. I've not seen any about yet but I'm sure they will be along soon. I used to have houses that you couldn't get into to clean out and they used to stay clogged up and dirty so they weren't any good.
Can I ask what kind of position you site that box please - on the house wall, out in the garden amongst plants etc?
I have mine against a south facing shed, about head height, under an overhang. It's in full sun for half the year and pretty protected from rain. I do have a problem with spiders as they love the spot too, so I remove cobwebs from building up. I have the boxes clear of vegetation and easily accessible as I want to be able to open the windows and see the bee development without removing the whole box. This is pretty much how I saw that Kew Gardens have theirs placed. George P has been working with them closely and I'm trying to follow his lead as he designed them and has great research expertise.
But I'm no expert and am just starting out with nesting boxes. I have been impressed how fast bees have taken up residence in properly designed models, esp compared with the range of cheapo "gift shop" ones bought and the diy bee nests I have.
Can I ask what kind of position you site that box please - on the house wall, out in the garden amongst plants etc?
I have mine against a south facing shed, about head height, under an overhang. It's in full sun for half the year and pretty protected from rain. I do have a problem with spiders as they love the spot too, so I remove cobwebs from building up. I have the boxes clear of vegetation and easily accessible as I want to be able to open the windows and see the bee development without removing the whole box. This is pretty much how I saw that Kew Gardens have theirs placed. George P has been working with them closely and I'm trying to follow his lead as he designed them and has great research expertise.
But I'm no expert and am just starting out with nesting boxes. I have been impressed how fast bees have taken up residence in properly designed models, esp compared with the range of cheapo "gift shop" ones bought and the diy bee nests I have.
Thanks for that info. I see a few photos of them fixed to a wall, though Im not sure I trust the hanging hook on mine, I'd need to add some more fitting I think.
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Any good suggestions for siting the boxes please?
The solitary bees come back every year to clean them out and start new families.
No cost...good for me and the allotment children to watch and seems to do the trick.
Good luck
When I emptied my bee house of cocoons, there were a few nasties in there that would probably have eaten the entire tube of bees if I hadn't got rid of them first.
Advice please.
I did last spring poke out the old stuff with a bendy piece of wire and tap the back of the blocks with a hammer to get out as much as I could.
Should I do this again now please ?
What else should I do now ?
My friend has hives on my allotment for honey bees so would she be able to advise or are solitary bees different from honeys. ?
I wish to be a good land lord !!
I think I posted a picture on this thread and you can see some little white maggoty things in one cell. If you can get the tubes cleaned then I would definitely do it now, quick before they turn up this year. I've not seen any about yet but I'm sure they will be along soon.
I used to have houses that you couldn't get into to clean out and they used to stay clogged up and dirty so they weren't any good.