Holes that are being used will be plugged with mud.īee houses of this type will not attract Africanized honey bees or other social bees because honeyīees need a softball-sized cavity or larger to build their honeycomb in. Mason bees are active in the spring, so provide houses from February to July inĪrizona. Mount the house firmly to fixed surface where it will get morning sun (the bees don't Carpenter bees love to drill holes into the wood on homes, barns, sheds, fences and more and once they find a wood surface they like, they can quickly turn it into a Swiss-cheese look-a-like A carpenter bee resembles a bumblebee, but there are a few key differences that separate the two. Plus if you have ever wondered what the inside of a carpenter bee nest looks like. Space the holes about 3/4 inch apart, the number and design are up to you. Holes in wood It could be evidence of carpenter bees (Xylocopa). To build your own bee house, drill a series of holes 3/8 inches in diameter (smaller diameter holes will be used by leafcutter bees) three to six inches deep in pine or fir 4X4's or glued-up boards. You can buy bee houses or purchase kits from Knox Cellars, 1607 KnoxĪve., Bellingham, WA 98225, phone: (206) 733-3283 homepage at To encourage mason bees you can provide a bee house, the insectĮquivalent of a bird house. Or other wooden structures because they do not escavate nest holes themselves. Unlike carpenter bees, mason bees are never destructive to homes Orchard mason bees occur naturally in Arizona and throughout the United States. These gentleīees are not likely to sting, although they will defend themselves if stepped on or trapped under Mason beesĪre slightly smaller than honey bees, and are shiny dark blue, almost black in color. Osmia lignaria and related species) are native bees that are becoming popular with gardeners and farmers. Want to try encouraging local native bees as pollinators. If you have developed an interest in bees, but aren't ready or able to keep honey bees, you might Information Sheet 29, Raising Orchard Mason Bees
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