How to Make Mason Bee Hives

According to the Western Washington Extension Service, mason bees or the orchard mason bee is a bee you want to have around. These bees, that are smaller than honey bees, have an important role in pollinating fruit trees such as apples and cherries. These small bees like to nest in small holes that exist in trees or nail holes in wood. To invite these helpful bees to your orchard, you can make mason bee hives. Your fruits will flourish and your harvest will be bountiful.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Block of wood measuring 6 inches by 7 or 8 inches
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Pencil
• Drill and 5/16 inch drill bit
• 2 cedar shingles
• Nails and hammer
• Hook
• Tubes of mason bees
• Tape

1. Use a ruler and pencil to divide the front of the block of wood into even rows. The rows can be up to 2 inches apart. Repeat the process with rows running up and down.

2. Drill holes at all the points where the lines intersect. Use a 5/16 inch bit and drill the holes 6 inches deep, a depth that the orchard mason bees like.

3. Position two cedar shingles on the top of the block so that it forms a peaked roof. Nail the cedar shingles in place. You can nail the shingles near the block. If you put the nails in at an angle, it will help maintain the peak of the roof above. Make sure that the roof beak extends above the block of wood.

4. Encourage the mason bees to populate your house. Buy mason bees, which will come in cardboard tubes. Tape the tubes to the bottom of the mason bee hive with the end open.

5. Hang the mason bee hive in your orchard or on a building nearby. Fasten a hook on the back of the hive and drive a nail on which the hive can hang into the tree or building. By hanging the hive on a hook, this allows you to take the hive down and clean it, if necessary.

References

• Orchard Mason Bees
• Mason Bee Houses