My mason bee boxes

Looks as if the bees have been filling them?

Yes they have Drc, although it's early yet but by end of June they will be crammed full.The top left is last years and full of viable bees as they empty out they begin to fill up the new tubes in the other three boxes. It's facinating to watch them.

This is brilliant !

Anyone can use these and it encourages & helps the little bees to survive. I purchase mine from Amazon or wiggly wigglers.

Thanks so much for the info.....

You are welcome.

Mason Bee high rise ! I've just bought three of these myself - I hope they're as successful as yours. :-)

Muddy, You might have to wait until next year before they start, that happened with mine and now five years on they are amazing, I put them in the garage for the winter then pop them out at end of April, although I am concerned this year because it has been cold and usually by now the tubes are full, the top left tubes are last years and the rest new tubes. They can be attacked by a parasite so it is best to supply new tubes if you can. I love watching them on hot sunny days they are busy little b's.

Brilliant idea.....

I'm going to get some of these Gge. I think they look great and it would be fascinating to watch.

It is wonderful to watch these busy little bees and they are so sweet, but this year there has not been many and I am very sad, I purchased onehundred new tubes and they are not being used, it's too cold, maybe they will start a little later, I am worried.

It's weird Gge. My Mum, Oliveoil is her username on here....she has been finding loads of dead bees in her garden.....that's horrible isn't it......it's kind of scary I feel. Difficult to know what to do about it though....

I really dont think there is much we can do EXCEPT provide homes like these, which helps them in times likes this, we have honey bees in our compost heap at mo, so no composting for us just now, but do you know I dont mind !! :0)) Our council take our compost so I dont feel too bad about it, I am glad they chose our bin to live in !! Lol

:))

It's a year on and I was wondering how they are doing Grandmage?

Hi Muddy, well this years bunch are brilliant, I purchased new tubes and filled three boxes with them, then I put last years tubes in another box (gathered them alltogether) and this year all the tubes have been filled, so it is a good year for my little workers. Thanks for asking.

That's great Grandmage, what a result. :-)

Thanks Muddy, why dont you try them?

Embarrassingly, I have three in the cupboard that I haven't got around to putting in the garden yet!
(Don't ask!).

Oh too late for this year Muddy!! Keep them there and put them out next April in a sheltered position. Then watch with delight!! (although first year is sometimes dissapointing, as they need to spread the word to each other that there is a new home available!!)

Thanks Grandmage, I'll get the brackets up this weekend ready for next year.
(I'm so cross with myself - grrr!).

Dont be, these things happen (senior moment!) and also be patient with your boxes, they will take off hopefully next spring.

:-))

I remembered in the back of my mind you having some pots Grandmage , this is a brilliant idea I was going to make some last year but didn't get around to it , I can see how they would like the sun , I must put my new little house in a similar position :o)

Inspirational ( todays word I'm afraid ).
I will get myself to Morrisons asap and get a couple ( one for the daughter .)

Brilliant both Amy & Driad, I started this quite a few years ago and now buy fresh tubes each year to encourage even more.
http://www.foxleas.com/bee_house.htm try this website to read some more info.