Rickitikkitavi
06-08-2009, 11:13 AM
This is a cross-posting that I put onto Home Orchard Society forum.
HOS Forums - View topic - Mason Bees!!! Mason Bees!!! Dreaming of Mason Bees! (http://www.homeorchardsociety.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1694)
and here are the contents. While most bananas do not need nor benefit from pollenation, some other plants you have benefit.
:-)
Mason Bees!!! Mason Bees!!! Dreaming of Mason Bees!
So -
speaking the obvious... these are big time sought after these days. wow
For those not aware - honey bees are having an awful time of it now and global climate change is real. Mason Bees are way cool, pollenate well, are native AND they don't sting. Nice overall package I would say! They are being sought after to pollenate food crops now instead of honey bees. Let us pray!
Anyhow... I thought I would share some of my misadventures on this for entertainment and information. :shock:
First you might click on this
Wanted - Mason Bees and Mason Bee House Making Supplies (http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/grd/1209921588.html)
I got a call from a Gentleman last nite that has lots of them. He was offering large batches of them starting at $50. I gently balked at this and probably should not have. His number was restricted so calling him back now is not an option. I did tell him about HOS and this website... so he may see this posting 8)
To my best recall - he said he had drilled holes into 4 x 4 pieces of wood and this was working very well. Also said that Al's was selling them for a 'fair price' for just a few pupae in a tube.
I happen to have an IDEAL place for them. There is a forested area that is left undisturbed and bee thingies can be back there big time. I have lots and lots of good cured lumber to make said houses, but am not sure of spec's such as diameter of holes to drill. I don't wanna do a 1/2 ass job but would like to do this inexpensively also.
My questions are many but here are some. I admit to not thoroughly investigating all this yet -
1. If I make these up w/o bees present, am I likely to attract the wrong bugs like wasps? Those suckers hurt!
2. Can I reliably be assured of getting some at next HOS event? (This request could be defacto unfairness perhaps)
3. I would rather make sure I get truly OREGON NATIVE ones instead of hybridized or acclimated ones. Same same with only native Oregon Tree Frogs (another subj).
4. If I make up a LOT of these dorm rooms - is there an effective way to stop them from filling it up totally and instead, filling another? Maybe a well vented wire cage or something... (this may relate to #6 below)
5. Are they all gonna be waiting for spring to emerge or will there be generations between now and then?
6. Drilled holes vs PVC pipe pieces... is it cuz of sanitation? I would think that a portable steamer would do the trick when needed.
7. Is there an HOS member with smaller quantity interested in trading for a few for some of my stuff? I will be posting quite a bit more soon btw.
I am keeping the ad up for a while to see if I get other responses. I remember seeing some nice postings for really nice looking and creative houses on craigslist last year. Making these up would be a good cottage industry of course. Unless the climate change reverses suddenly and nirvana comes real quick - there will be a real need for more Mason Bees!
;-)
_________________
I am hardiness testing at least 15 Banana cultivars here in Beaverton Oregon and have lots of stuff to trade rickitikkitavi@gmail.com
HOS Forums - View topic - Mason Bees!!! Mason Bees!!! Dreaming of Mason Bees! (http://www.homeorchardsociety.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1694)
and here are the contents. While most bananas do not need nor benefit from pollenation, some other plants you have benefit.
:-)
Mason Bees!!! Mason Bees!!! Dreaming of Mason Bees!
So -
speaking the obvious... these are big time sought after these days. wow
For those not aware - honey bees are having an awful time of it now and global climate change is real. Mason Bees are way cool, pollenate well, are native AND they don't sting. Nice overall package I would say! They are being sought after to pollenate food crops now instead of honey bees. Let us pray!
Anyhow... I thought I would share some of my misadventures on this for entertainment and information. :shock:
First you might click on this
Wanted - Mason Bees and Mason Bee House Making Supplies (http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/grd/1209921588.html)
I got a call from a Gentleman last nite that has lots of them. He was offering large batches of them starting at $50. I gently balked at this and probably should not have. His number was restricted so calling him back now is not an option. I did tell him about HOS and this website... so he may see this posting 8)
To my best recall - he said he had drilled holes into 4 x 4 pieces of wood and this was working very well. Also said that Al's was selling them for a 'fair price' for just a few pupae in a tube.
I happen to have an IDEAL place for them. There is a forested area that is left undisturbed and bee thingies can be back there big time. I have lots and lots of good cured lumber to make said houses, but am not sure of spec's such as diameter of holes to drill. I don't wanna do a 1/2 ass job but would like to do this inexpensively also.
My questions are many but here are some. I admit to not thoroughly investigating all this yet -
1. If I make these up w/o bees present, am I likely to attract the wrong bugs like wasps? Those suckers hurt!
2. Can I reliably be assured of getting some at next HOS event? (This request could be defacto unfairness perhaps)
3. I would rather make sure I get truly OREGON NATIVE ones instead of hybridized or acclimated ones. Same same with only native Oregon Tree Frogs (another subj).
4. If I make up a LOT of these dorm rooms - is there an effective way to stop them from filling it up totally and instead, filling another? Maybe a well vented wire cage or something... (this may relate to #6 below)
5. Are they all gonna be waiting for spring to emerge or will there be generations between now and then?
6. Drilled holes vs PVC pipe pieces... is it cuz of sanitation? I would think that a portable steamer would do the trick when needed.
7. Is there an HOS member with smaller quantity interested in trading for a few for some of my stuff? I will be posting quite a bit more soon btw.
I am keeping the ad up for a while to see if I get other responses. I remember seeing some nice postings for really nice looking and creative houses on craigslist last year. Making these up would be a good cottage industry of course. Unless the climate change reverses suddenly and nirvana comes real quick - there will be a real need for more Mason Bees!
;-)
_________________
I am hardiness testing at least 15 Banana cultivars here in Beaverton Oregon and have lots of stuff to trade rickitikkitavi@gmail.com