For the last few days my internet has been having stability issues. Though it seems to be over and now I can start streaming my webcam showing off the Bees I am raising once again.
These are not Honey Bees, or Bumble Bees, they are more like Carpenter Bees. But they are actually Mason Bees. I thought I had Leafcutter Bees as well, but I think I just have two kinds of Mason Bee. One with a fuzzy yellow butt and the other with a plain black butt. From what ive read they are closely related and are both Solitary Bees. They get that name from collecting near by mud and placing it inside the homes to build cells for their larva to grow and become Bees.
For the last month the Bees have been hard at work building the homes in the wooden bee boards I constructed. They have already managed to fill in about a dozen of the holes though they still have a long way to go before there is no more room. I think it may take till next year to have filled Bee boards. Hoping I get more females next year due to the proper tunnel length. Its going to get pretty crazy around their homes if I get double the females next year. Might need to separate the bee boards to give them space. Though ill cross the bridge when it becomes a problem, like multiple bees landing on one flower causing damage. I could see needing to do something about it by then.
With the warm weather showing up the Bees have become very active. I usually see a dozen or so of them flying around at any time. But it does not bother me at all, they are just curious and move on once they realize im not a flower I guess.
Here are some pictures of the yellow butts of the one of the two types of Bees that visit these homes. I got a couple captures of them crawling into their homes.
This is the only way I can tell the two types of Solitary Bees apart. Besides that they seem to look nearly identical. I also noticed some have a blond patch of hair on the their face. Like a Bee mustache.
The two types of Bees get along without any issues so im not worried about it. Both are hard workers, spending all day traveling from flower to flower collecting pollen and nectar. And also collecting mud to build the homes they lay their larva in.
Link to webcam:
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That's cool. I build a new 'bug hotel' at the weekend with various things for bees and other bugs to use for laying eggs. It is made with bricks that have holes plus bamboo, reeds and corrugated cardboard. I have some spaces to add other materials. I guess your boards are made to be cleaned out after use, but I will just use what I have in the garden.
The upper one has been there a while. It's had a few bees using the holes I drilled in logs. I could do more of those.
Very cool! Glad to see others encouraging the Bees to make homes in yards. Looks like they have alot of options at your home which is great, and that little awning will protect the homes from the rain. The mud can get washed away without a little cover.
Yep I designed my boards to be serviceable, so I can deal with mites or other critters that try out crowd out the Bees.
I may just rebuild mine after a while. Our garden has lots of wild areas. I noticed a lot of bees around at the weekend, so we are doing something right. Some wasps tend to make a little nest in my shed, but I don't really want to encourage that. Those paper nests are so delicate.
Nice, if they are showing up and visiting the homes sounds like they will take to them.
@wehmoen
thanks for reaching out to me, ok Ill get in contact with you.