The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Bees & Beekeeping => Topic started by: AndyMorton on March 08, 2011, 08:33:31 pm

Title: Solitary Bees
Post by: AndyMorton on March 08, 2011, 08:33:31 pm

Just been looking into making some form or home for the solitary bees...it all seems rather simple. Am i missing something?  :-[ 

Has anyone else tried making one of these? Any tips regarding positioning? Do's and don'ts etc?

Andy

 :bee:

Title: Re: Solitary Bees
Post by: Fleecewife on March 11, 2011, 12:28:51 am

I was given one of those bundles of short canes for the bees, but they ignored it totally and continue to live in the holes in our walls, or to make holes in the ground - depends on the type.  But I'm so pleased you are doing something for the wild bees - I worry they are being forgotten in the current fashion for keeping hives  :bee: :bee: :bee:

Title: Re: Solitary Bees
Post by: OhLaLa on March 13, 2011, 12:09:28 pm

This website has lots of info:

http://www.insectpix.net/ (http://www.insectpix.net/)

Title: Re: Solitary Bees
Post by: Fleecewife on March 15, 2011, 12:30:20 am

Thank you for the web link OhLaLa.  I followed it to Bumble Bees - reading that will keep me occupied for quite a while  :)  :bee: :bee: :bee:

Title: Re: Solitary Bees
Post by: OhLaLa on March 15, 2011, 07:52:43 pm

It always lifts my spirit to see a Bumble Bee.....

 :bee:   :love:

Title: Re: Solitary Bees
Post by: Mothman on March 15, 2011, 10:23:35 pm

Quote from: OhLaLa on March 15, 2011, 07:52:43 pm

It always lifts my spirit to see a Bumble Bee.....

 :bee:   :love:

Especially when the Peach is flowering :)
They do an amazing job around the garden.
Sorry somewhat off topic....

Title: Re: Solitary Bees
Post by: darkbrowneggs on March 15, 2011, 11:22:52 pm

I recently had a brick garden wall built so had 3 bricks left out, the idea being to fill them with those special tube things and also some broken pieces of cow parsley stem to see which they preferred. 

I can report so far no interest whatsoever, but the wall wasn't finished till latish spring last year, so might have been too late then.

If it changes I will let you know.

The resident solitary bees nest in a south and west facing wall.

All the best
Sue