Many native solitary bees are discovered all through North America, and along with different bee species equivalent to honeybees and bumblebees, they’re vital pollinators of fruit and greens.
When the daytime excessive temperature reaches 14 C (57°F), the Blue Orchard bee begins to emerge. The males emerge just a few days earlier than the females. They mate after which the feminine seems for locations to put her eggs. She prefers to put her eggs in small holes, typically in tree trunks or fences. When she has discovered an acceptable nest, she collects many grains of pollen, mixes it with nectar, and lays an egg on the lump of pollen. Then she collects moist mud or different supplies and makes a wall as safety from parasites and predators. After one cell is closed with mud, she units out to gather pollen and nectar for one more cell, and she or he continues till she runs out of eggs.
You may appeal to Blue Orchard Mason Bees into your backyard by constructing your individual “Condominium” for them. It’s straightforward and may be made with recycled supplies besides.
Supplies wanted:
- 1 waxed milk carton or juice container, non-transparent
- Screws
- 15 Paper Straws
- 2 rubber bands
- Wooden Glue
- Newspaper
- Foam (or any comfortable stuffing for insulation)
Put together the Condominium as follows:
Screw a one liter waxed milk or juice container to the skin of your storage, shed, or home wall, in a sheltered spot out of the wind. These nests needs to be positioned in a sunny, southern or jap location close to your backyard in order that the bees can pollinate your fruit bushes. The peak is just not that vital, the bees appear to nest in straws anyplace from three to twenty′ above floor, however put it at eye stage so you possibly can watch the bees in motion
Lower the straws roughly in half (some barely lower than 6″ and a few barely greater than 6″) and bundle the straws along with an elastic band. Be aware that the uneven size of nesting straws is a cue for bees to orient to their nest.
Lower 5 x 6″ squares of newspaper and glue them across the bundle for the primary layer of insulation. Place one other rubber band over the newspaper to maintain it cosy. Wrap the bundle with foam to insulate the bees from excessive chilly and warmth. Insert the bundle of straws and insulation, as one unit, into the waterproof container. If there may be further room across the straws, fill it with extra foam.
Every feminine solitary bee will use about two and a half of the six-inch straws per season. To extend the possibility of bees discovering your do-it-yourself condominium, you possibly can embellish your nest with pale-colored paint. As well as, you may coloration the tip of some of the nesting straws to make energetic nesting straws simpler to find for returning bees.
Depart the nests exterior all yr in delicate winter areas (Zones 7 and above). You could possibly transfer them to a extra sheltered spot out of the worst of the rain and snow and transfer them again to your splendid spot in mid-February. Every year, present extra empty straws for brand spanking new nests.
Questions on Orchard Mason Bees and making condos may be despatched to Derryat [email protected]
