DIY Red Mason Bee Nests
Build your own nest box
Making your own nest box is easy - all you need is an old piece of wood and an electric drill. Select and old piece of timber that is deep enough to take drill holes 5-10cm deep. Drill out (at a slight upwards angle) lots of holes in the timber, making sure that the drill does not go all the way through. Make the holes aound 8mm in diameter for Red Mason Bees. If you make a few smaller size holes, around 7mm, then other bees like the Blue Mason Bee might take up residence. Hang the completed bee nest in a sheltered spot with good morning sun.
More information about making a bee nest can be found here.
Or watch the video to see how to do it. Skip past the first 2 minutes of ads. If you can't see the video on your screen try this link to YouTube.
Hygiene
Keeping your nest boxes free from disease presents a bit of a problem; the boxes are never empty, either last year's bees are waiting to emerge or this year's bees are filling the holes. The trick is to place the nest box in a darkened container with a hole (about 1-2cm) cut in the side. Place the box outisde in Spring before the bees start to emerge. When the bees emerge from the nest box they will escape through the hole in the container and hopefully not find their way back. Keep moving the box every day or so to confuse any bees that do find their way back.
When the next box is empty ream out the holes with a drill and soak in a mild solution of bleach. The box is then ready for use the following year.
