Native Pollinating Bees - Orchard Masons, Bumbles, and Many Others

Provided by Knox Cellars Native Bees 

 

There are thousands of native bees in North America. Most are solitary and dwell in holes in wood, reeds, or the ground. All bees are pollinators. All it takes to successfully raise native bees is habitat, a varied garden, knowledge, and sometimes a start of bees. We highly recommend learning as much as you can about native bees to increase your knowledge and enjoyment of these creatures. Start with The Orchard Mason Bee by Brian Griffin and then read Humblebee Bumblebee by the same author.

 

What: Mason bees lay their eggs in 5/16 inch diameter holes in wood blocks or nesting straws. The holes need to be at least 3 ½ inches long. Six inches long gives the best ratio of females.

Where: Place bee nesting habitat on a sunny wall of a building. South generally works best but east or west will also work. The more protection from wind and rain, the better. Make sure the block gets at least three or four hours of full sun. Do not put habitat on trees, posts, or fences!!!

When: Place the bees on the wall around March 1. Or when the daytime temperatures come up to the low 50’s. Leave them undisturbed until mid-September. For winter store the blocks some place cool (upper 30’s) and out of the rain. A detached garage or shed works well. So does the fridge.

Plants: Try a wide mix of early spring flowering plants. Pieris Japonica, Oregon Grape, Maples, Heathers, Viburnums, etc.

 

What: Californicas are very similar in lifestyle and temperament to Mason bees. They lay their eggs in the exact same nesting materials as masons. You will notice that they are slightly messier housekeepers with more pollen spilled on the front lip of their nesting straws.

Where: Place the nesting materials exactly as you would Mason bees

When: Place californicas out around June 1 or when your Mason bees are done for the season. Leave them out until fall and then place the bees where they will be protected from the bad winter weather. An unheated shed works great.

Plants: We are still learning about the plant preferences of these bees. They feed on members of the compositadae family. We also see them on other ornamentals in our gardens.

 

 

Where: Bumblebees like cool spots. North sides of buildings work best. Under shrubs or on the shady sides of fences work well also.

When: The queens emerge from their winter hibernation in very early spring. Late February to early March is not uncommon. They look for a spot to set up house keeping. Set your house out during this time frame for the best chance of having a queen set up shop in your Humble Bumble Home. In the fall clean out the Humble Bumble Home and store it for winter. Next spring put in clean cotton and set the Home back outside.

Plants: Summer blooming plants like Tomatoes, Squash, Lavender, Dahlias as well as early spring plants for the queens such as Rhodies and Heathers.

 

What: Aphid eaters nest in 1/8 inch holes in wood blocks. Two inches deep in fine.

Where: Place blocks on posts or walls in sunny spots of the garden near aphid attracting plants.

When: Place blocks out in May or when weather warms to near 70. Store blocks in a dry spot for winter. A garage or shed works well.

 

What: Leafcutters nest in ¼ inch holes in blocks or reeds.

Where: Place habitat on a sunny wall of a building. Protect from rain and wind if possible.

When: Leafcutters emerge in late May and work through the summer. In mid September, store blocks in a cool dry spot for winter. Near your mason bees is great.