My Schwegler and Pilkington nest boxes were only positioned in the last few weeks, either they are too new, or incorrectly sited. I’ll keep my eye on them.
@LeadFarmer I have had bees in and out of my boxes today and yesterday (i posted a pic on this thread yesterday). No sign of my cocoons opening up yet though, very jealous @Fire!! A wasp went into the house too , I gave the box a bash and it flew off but that's a concern.
Got these two close to the house, but I have a third that I will site elsewhere in the garden..
And those plants on the window cill are from a single cutting of African Blue Basil that a kind member on here sent me, as they attract bees. I've since taken plenty more cuttings and if anyone wants any then I;ll happily post them out..
@LeadFarmer The company say you don't have to clean out the yellow box and should always leave the cocoons out through the winter. Do you have a sense of why that design is different?
@LeadFarmer The company say you don't have to clean out the yellow box and should always leave the cocoons out through the winter. Do you have a sense of why that design is different?
No, sorry I don't. Pilkington sells containers to place you cocoons into and store in the fridge, so low temperature must be important?
I have seen videos arguing both for and against fridging (and its accompanying humidity levels). I would be careful to find out if that treatment is best (if at all) for a particular type of solitary bee.
I have seen worries that warm, early spring days can bring on emergence at a time when there is nothing yet out for the bees to eat.
I am considering buying some units for our local primary school, but think there is not nearly enough forage close by to support the bees. It seems they don't like to travel very far. Bees without some kind of garden right there, isn't going to work.
New to this whole Mason bee thing but have read up on it and would love to get some visitors this year. I am trying the block wood type ( behind) and the main one in the picture. What you can’t see is to the left are lots and lots of mature lavender plants that attract so many bees. I sit for ages watching the bees in the summer and hope this year to see them making their homes too. Any tips for getting them to use the hotels or do they just find their way there if your lucky?
Hi, @clare_grace, for siting they recommend a south facing, spot sheltered from the rain. The bees need to warm up in the sun and are very temperature sensitive. I read that it is important to have a lot of space in front of the nest box - a clear run, free of bushes etc. That obelisk might get in the way. Perhaps site the box in a clearer spot.
There are nearly 250 species of solitary bee in the UK. They nest at different times. To encourage mason bees, Pilkington smears the front of his boxes with mud, so the bees have a ready supply to hand. Having some patches of muddy soil close by would be helpful to encourage nesting.
I have planted stachys (lambs' ears) under the bee box site. Wool carder bees like to use it for their nesting. You can see little patches on the leaves where the bees have chewed off the fur in places. In summer you can watch them 'grazing' like little sheep (though they don't eat the fluff, just carry it to the nest). The flowers are great too. I have seen advice to not clear up the mess when stachys die back, but leave it for bees and birds to use as nesting material.
Roses seem a favourite with leaf cutter bees. I love seeing the perfect sections of circles they take from the leaves. In my Pilkington box a leaf cutter bee has sealed a chamber with a rose petal, which seems beyond poetic.
I am just learning as I go, but these are things I have read lately. I hope they might be useful.
Just sit and wait @clare_grace! Mine have always filled easily enough. Mine have been hatching out this morning, so exciting! Mine stayed in a shed through Winter, no fridge.
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A wasp went into the house too
And those plants on the window cill are from a single cutting of African Blue Basil that a kind member on here sent me, as they attract bees. I've since taken plenty more cuttings and if anyone wants any then I;ll happily post them out..
Mine have been hatching out this morning, so exciting! Mine stayed in a shed through Winter, no fridge.