Mason bees are solitary bees but can live near each other in nests. For best results in mason beekeeping, be sure to use the best mason bee nesting materials that you have access to. The best materials ensure that your starter population of mason bees flourishes and grows in number. Both beginner and experienced beekeepers can keep mason bees with ease. The bees work with most materials you will think of as long as they are natural and organic plant material. Even then, research indicates that some materials are more friendly and favorable to mason bees. They take to these materials quickly and build compartments more willingly. Pipes and tubes are the preference of mason bees. They love those that have a diameter of around 8 millimeters.
Read More »How to Clean a Mason Bee House
Of all the domesticated bees in existence, the mason bee is perhaps one of the easiest to manage and maintain. It neither demands sophisticated tools nor require specialized skills to keep. In most cases, the mason bee will demand maintenance that takes about 3 hours or less and this is done about once a year. Of course, this will depend on the number of mason bee houses you have. Mason bees are a target to many pests, parasites and predators, and hence the need for maintenance. This is carried out in the fall and winter months. In this article, we'll discuss how to clean a mason bee house and why it is important to do so.
Read More »Harvesting Mason Bee Cocoons – The Beginner’s Guide
The process of harvesting mason bee cocoons is an important one. Harvesting in this case does not mean honey harvesting. Mason bees are kept for purposes other than honey. They are beneficial solitary bees that are used for pollination purposes. As a matter of fact, mason bees are more efficient pollinators when compared to the honey bee and other types of bees. This species of the bee is easy to keep and is usually active in early spring, a time when other pollinators are not.
Read More »How to Make a Homemade Mason Bee House
The making of a homemade mason bee house is an exciting project that involves simple woodworking that will take just a few minutes to get through with. This is a project that the kids will love to take part in; watching the bees as they construct their nest will definitely give yourself and the kids a sense of fulfillment.
Read More »Best Books on Keeping Mason Bees
Reading the best books on keeping mason bees is a reliable way to get knowledge about mason beekeeping. It is useful for both when you are preparing to start mason beekeeping as well as improving your knowledge and skills for experienced beekeepers. Books about mason bees cover a wide range of topics that are all relevant to keeping mason bees. You can buy these books from various sellers or borrow from friends who have the books in their libraries. If you have a mason beekeeping book, you should be willing to share it will fellow mason beekeepers as long as they keep it in pristine condition. This article reviews the best books on keeping mason bees that are most relevant and which you should read.
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