Re: Mason Bee House Construction
 

And here's the finished Mason Bee Housing, ready for occupancy.

Re: Mason Bee House Construction
 

Here's a sample of the package that I got from an exchange with some forum members. Sorry for the blurry pics. You can buy Mason bees either as cocoons or in straws. If you got them in straws, I recommend that you open them, clean them up of other insects that may be hitchhiking and separate the cocoons. The best time to get the Mason Bee cocoons is during the winter season so that they can be shipped without hatching along the way. You can store them in the crisper bin of your fridge for as long as it takes you to build their houses, but don't forget them or they will die if left long enough, or when they hatch, there are no more flowers for them to feed on.

Re: Mason Bee House Construction
 

Gently pick up each cocoon, clean them up if there are dirt or other insects.

Re: Mason Bee House Construction
 

Then drop them unto each of the holes of the Mason Bee housing.

Re: Mason Bee House Construction
 

If some cocoons get stuck, you can gently push them with ear buds.

Re: Mason Bee House Construction
 

Then plug lightly with cotton.

Re: Mason Bee House Construction
 

Measure the center to center distance of the eyelet screws.



Place a pair of hooks under the eaves of the roof, separated from each other by the same distance as between the two eyelets. That side of the house where part of the roof gets morning sun is an ideal location. Specifically, away from foot traffic if possible.

Re: Mason Bee House Construction
 

Simply hang the Mason Bee Housing unto the roof.




Tadah! The finished housing, loaded and waiting for the warmth of spring.

Re: Mason Bee House Construction
 

If you don't have available spot on your roof, or the roof is not easily accessible, you can build a roofing over the Mason Bee House and secure it on the west fence. The West fence gets morning sun, and gets shaded in the hot afternoons. That's another ideal place, but would require you to build roofing over the housing especially if you have small cracks in the wood.



This housing is secured by a metal bracket.

Re: Mason Bee House Construction
 

Here's another sample of a Mason Bee housing. This one is modular and can be extended downwards as population grows to carrying capacity of your yard. You can practically build any housing configuration as long as the hole is 6" deep and the size fits that of your specific Mason Bee species.

Re: Mason Bee House Construction
 

Or you can go natural, using hollowed-out logs too.

Re: Mason Bee House Construction
 

The following attachment contains a PDF version of this tutorial:

Re: Mason Bee House Construction
 

I was amazed how quickly the bee house was discovered and put to use.
This is a great way to help pollinators.
https://cincinnatizoo.org/conservation/pollen-nation/