Today they seemed to be investigating. But the bees seem to be more interested in and sniffing around the Schwegler block (which is currently full) than George's house (nearly empty).
From my brief reading, emergence seems to be triggered (at least, partially) by temperature. George P describes masons as 'spring bees' and April seems to be their month. We've had a cold and windy April, so maybe timings have been somewhat retarded all around. 'My' cocoons may have been prompted to hatch by the warmth of having them in the house for a short while. I wonder...
Fire
I want to buy a Schwegler block but are they only available to German buyers ?
Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
Lots of people are commenting on this thread and they have various boxes. I have this one which is by far the most popular of all the ones I have - homemade and bought. They make a beeline to this one first.
I have a Pilkington box too, which is great in that you can open the sides and see a lot going on. But the Schweglerblock above seems to be more immediately interesting to a wider range of bees, including micro bees (in my garden). It's more like a YHA where the Pilkington is more boutique hotel.
I have a load of logs I have drilled holes in but they are of very little interest to bees. I think the bit grade was too high and the channels possibly not deep enough. I would be interested in trying again with a range of narrower bits and try and measure popularity. As I mentioned elsewhere, I've had little success with bamboo (wide and narrow), but dimensions are important - long enough, right diameter, sealed end, dry etc. It might just be that my bought (RSPB) and made bamboo efforts weren't well designed. The main inhabitants are (predatory) spiders, which is a downside the others don't have.
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I think the science of insect boxes is fairly new - some people feel really strongly about certain aspects. Do they need to be cleaned or renewed every year? Should people just have a go at bug houses? Or maybe insect boxes are not needed and rewilded gardens are better where insects can feel free to make their own homes without interference or meddling from us.
I'm interested and learning, but new to it all, no kind of expert. @wild edges has been doing it longer and has star entomologist knowledge.
Posts
I want to buy a Schwegler block but are they only available to German buyers ?
and
https://www.nhbs.com/schwegler-insect-house-for-solitary-insects
Are these the two you are using and writing about on this amazing thread ?
https://www.schwegler-natur.de/portfolio_1408430231/insektennisthaus/?lang=en
from here..
http://www.wildlifeservices.co.uk/insectboxes.html
PLEASE dont take offence.