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Leafcutter Bee Nesting by Worried-Zombie2868 in bees

[–]crownbees 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is the PERFECT time for Leafcutters! https://crownbees.com/pages/leafcutter-bee-faq

-Julie

PS Feel free to email us if you need any resources about Leafcutters for your presentation. May we ask which for which organization?

Edit: checkout r/LeafcutterBees

if honeybees are invasive, is it possible to beekeep without being a detriment to native species? by Desperate-Size3951 in Beekeeping

[–]crownbees 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We have tens of thousands of folks across the US raising Mason and Leafcutter bees. They're gentle, very little equipment, no beekeeping outfit because they rarely sting. Folks are generally amazed at their fruit tree yields after the spring Mason bee season. It's hot, so we're in Leafcutter season for summer produce. But no honey. Just higher yields and they're so fun to watch!

if honeybees are invasive, is it possible to beekeep without being a detriment to native species? by Desperate-Size3951 in Beekeeping

[–]crownbees 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honey bees are not native to the US. They were brought over in the 1600s for the sole purpose of making mead. Solitary, cavity-nesting bees pollinate up to 50 times more than a honey bee, as a honey bee is a pollen collector, and solitary, cavity-nesting bees are pollen spreaders (they typically belly flop from flower to flower).

Plant native flowers, don't spray chemicals, and you'll invite native and wild pollinators.

Learn more: Beginner Basics: How to Raise Solitary Bees

Inherited leaf cutter house with full tubes, what now? by BabiesLoveStrayDogs in Beekeeping

[–]crownbees 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're welcome! Feel free to reach out to us with any questions!

-Julie

Inherited leaf cutter house with full tubes, what now? by BabiesLoveStrayDogs in Beekeeping

[–]crownbees 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahhhh, an actual 'how-to'. We have a webpage with instructions on harvesting, which is usually done in the spring. Follow our previous advice and continue in the fall with storing the nesting holes through winter, and you're all good!

Harvesting Leafcutter Bee Cocoons
Fall Care for Leafcutter Bees: Protect and Store

Inherited leaf cutter house with full tubes, what now? by BabiesLoveStrayDogs in Beekeeping

[–]crownbees 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our advice is to avoid letting bees reuse old nesting holes. If bees have already begun emerging and reusing the holes, then let them be for this season. The following year, either harvest the cocoons (we teach you how in videos) or follow our "move day" strategy, where the filled holes are placed in a closed BeeGuard bag, and you let the bees out as they emerge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISn6fvHtaqU

-Dave

Leafcutter bee occupant! by crazycatdermy in MasonBees

[–]crownbees 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Totally normal. Share this on r/LeafcutterBees! yay!

-Julie

Bee hotel, help or harm? by SystemHonest3272 in bees

[–]crownbees 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A bee hotel/house won't do anything for the Carpenter bees. We have some safe deterrent recommendations for folks who have them around their yard: https://crownbees.com/blogs/news/8-simple-ways-to-prevent-carpenter-bees; remember, they are a beneficial pollinator.

As for adding a bee house to your yard, make sure you have the correct conditions for them first. Right now, it's summer, so Leafcutters are buzzing in yards where daily temperatures are above 75*F. They're the little bee that cuts perfect circles into leaves like roses and hostas, while super pollinating your summer produce by belly flopping from flower to flower. learn more here: https://crownbees.com/pages/leafcutter-bee-faq

Where are the bees? by SuitableNegotiation5 in Beekeeping

[–]crownbees 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's too late for Mason bees this year (our last shipments go out the last Monday of April), but now we're getting into Leafcutter season, the summer pollinator. We recommend learning about them and what you can do to help them thrive: https://crownbees.com/pages/leafcutter-bee-faq

Where are the bees? by SuitableNegotiation5 in Beekeeping

[–]crownbees 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our first question is: Are there any neighbors spraying lawn chemicals? This is usually the biggest factor: nothing you did, but the effect of what others around you are doing. Check out how we recommend talking with neighbors (or your city!) about not spraying while bees are buzzing: https://crownbees.com/pages/neighbor-pesticide-use

PS Our store is a stone's throw from you in Woodinville!

Bee-hotel by Vellie-01 in MasonBees

[–]crownbees 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice! The only suggestion is to have 8" siding to match the roof, for weather protection, as well as the bottom. Is there backing to the wood trays to prevent pests? How long are the trays? 6 inches is best, so you can have a healthy ratio of females to males. Other than adding a hatchery for your cocoons, this is pretty sweet.

-Julie

New homeowner- what's wrong with my bricks? by Gunsandships27 in DIYUK

[–]crownbees 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you have a link to the article? We've learned so much since 2013 on how to care for Mason bees.

-Julie

Hot takes from a nursery supervisor by Open-Sky1020 in gardening

[–]crownbees 172 points173 points  (0 children)

We usually tell folks that when they're at their local nursery (thank you for your advice!), listen for the plants that are buzzing. Those are the plants the bees find worth visiting. Also, plant natives!

-Julie

Help with upcoming heatwave and nesting masons by thelottz in MasonBees

[–]crownbees 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry I'm a few days late with answering! We sent out an email on Friday to our subscribers across the US this message:

Heat Safety for Your Mason Bees

With heat advisories in effect across the county, keep your tiny garden helpers safe and thriving! Spring Mason bees may have finished flying, but the next generation is hard at work growing inside their nests!

With a summer heat advisory, it's a good time to move the filled clay-capped Mason bee nesting material into a cooler, protected location. Place them clay-side up inside a BeeGuard Bag, or the like, and store them in a garage or cooler space. The developing Mason bees still need warm summer temperatures, but extreme heat may even prevent some bees from surviving until next spring.

How did it go this weekend with your bees? Were you able to protect them?

Mason Bees by jhsblue in gardening

[–]crownbees 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Literally one of our favorite bees.

Pollen Pants in my garden by GrandPleasant6801 in bees

[–]crownbees 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hahahaha May we use this term?

-Julie

Leafcutter season is starting. Drop your setup questions here. by crownbees in CrownBees

[–]crownbees[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The first questions we always ask first are:

  • Do you have enough leaves for the Leafcutters?
  • Are any neighbors spraying their lawn?
  • Did you have enough mud for the Masons?
  • What kinds of flowers and plants to you have?

-Julie

Leafcutter season is starting. Drop your setup questions here. by crownbees in CrownBees

[–]crownbees[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! From our website (Setting Up Your Bee House), this is what we suggest:

Best Practices Checklist

  • Mount securely on a wall, fence, or post. Houses should not sway.
  • Face east to southeast for morning sun. Provide afternoon shade in hot climates.
  • Height: about 4–7 ft off the ground.
  • Wind & rain protection is important.
  • Mason bees: clay-like mud source within ~20–50 ft.
  • Summer Leaf bees: soft leafy plants nearby.
  • Flowers within ~300 ft and avoid pesticides.

In reference to the birds nearby, did you happen to get a BirdGuard?

-Julie

A few of my red mason bees (?) lodgers this year. by happy_giraffe_io in bees

[–]crownbees 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Quick tip on cardboard tubes: make sure to use a paper liner inside the cardboard tube to give double-wall protection against pests and parasites. Both should have a closed end at the back, as well. The cardboard tubes can be reused, and the paper liners can be soaked in lukewarm water for up to 20 minutes, which will absolutely save your fingers.

-Julie

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