Can You Move A Mason Bee House?
Mason bees use visual cues or hints, such as objects, pictures, or symbols, to locate their house. They prefer minimal distance from their home to flower plants.
Many new beekeepers often ask this question: Can you move a mason bee house? Honey farmers may shift their mason bee nest for various reasons, such as better nesting conditions, increased protection, optimized pollination, easier maintenance, better population management, etc.
In this article, you will get a complete idea of whether it is bad to shift a mason bee nest and how much you can move. Don’t miss out on this post if you plan to relocate your mason bee house.
Can You Move A Mason Bee House?
Yes, you can move to a mason bee house. But the bee nest can’t be too far from its original location.
Otherwise, solitary bees, especially female bees, may feel confused about the house’s location. They may abandon the nest if they don’t find it after several attempts.
Besides, carefully moving the mason bee house is vital to avoid disturbing the bees and their nesting activities.
Furthermore, you want to take into account some crucial aspects, such as timing, new location, gradual transition, orientation, and nesting materials.
What To Consider When Moving A Mason Bee House?
A conscious beekeeper doesn’t randomly shift the mason bee house to a new location. He/she considers many vital aspects to create the most favorable living conditions for mason bees.
You must not overlook the following crucial points when shifting the mason bee nest to a new location.
Timing
When it comes to shifting a mason bee nest, timing is one of the most crucial factors. Moving the mason bee house is best when they are not actively using it.
They usually stay active for 8–10 weeks in the spring. The duration starts in the middle of March and continues until the end of May or early June.
These hard-working, solitary bees generally stay idle during late fall or winter. During these colder months, they hibernate in their cocoons.
New Location
Beekeepers don’t randomly choose a new location for their mason bees. It must be favorable, healthy, and safe for their solitary bees.
One crucial factor is selecting an appropriate place with abundant food sources, such as flowers, pollen, etc.
The bee nest should face south or southwest to receive enough morning sun exposure. It will keep them warm and ensure optimal pollination.
Besides, the new location should have minimal wind speed to help bees visit flowers at a higher rate and cause no issues with the efficiency of their foraging.
The new area should not be exposed to large raindrops from heavy rains. Otherwise, it may wipe out flowers that bees feed on.
Most importantly, the house’s new location must be easily accessible to them.
Accessibility ensures they can easily find and enter the nesting cavities, promoting successful bee activity and pollination.
Gradual Transition
Avoid moving the mason bee house accidentally to a new location. Instead, you can shift it gradually in very small increments, like a few feet each day.
Progressively move it for several days until you reach the final destination. This will help the bees readjust to their new surroundings effortlessly.
It won’t disrupt their nesting activities or cause them to abandon the site.
Orientation
Regardless of where you shift the mason bee house, make sure the physical structure of the solitary bee remains the same.
Mason bees use “signposts” or “visual hints” to recognize their home quickly.
They generally recognize some special colors, such as ultraviolet light, blue, green, orange, yellow, etc.
Keep the orientation of the mason bee house unchanged. This will help the bees to find their way back to the nest.
Nesting Materials
When shifting the mason bee house to a new location, it is necessary to add some nesting materials, such as mud, clay, raspberry stems, Phragmites, etc.
Mason bees prefer thick mud to protect their offspring from predators. They also need a high clay content to plug their nests and between compartments.
Raspberry stems are good for solitary bees to promote natural habitat and effective pollination.
You can also add phragmites reeds inside the mason bee house to naturally wick away moisture.
It will reduce the chance of any growth of mildew, fungus, and mold that would affect the bees.
Furthermore, put a bit of dirty water in a large bowl. Mason bees prefer water that already developed murky with algae.
Bees drink water to stay healthy and safe. They also use water to keep themselves cold during the hotter days.
How To Move A Mason Bee House?
Before moving the mason bee house, remove any debris or obstructions from the new location.
It will prevent potential damage to the nesting holes and offer an unobstructed path for the bees to access the house. Mason bees will enjoy a secure, clean, and stable environment.
Another important thing is making the mason bee house empty before relocating the house.
Check for any active nests or cocoons inside the tubes and gently remove them to a safe, temporary location.
It prevents harm to any bees still inside and minimizes disruption to their nesting activities.
Make sure to lift the mason bee house carefully. The bottom area should get enough support to prevent damage.
Hang it in the new location carefully on a flat surface. Avoid putting them directly on the ground. They should be 5-6 feet off the ground.
How To Make A Newly Relocated Mason Bee House More Attractive To Bees?
Even after remaining all the things same as in the original Mason bee house, a few solitary bees may show unwillingness to enter the bee house.
You can plant the following flowers to attract mason bees to visit their newly relocated nest.
Black-Eyed Susan
Mason bees are highly attracted to bright yellow flowers with dark centers. Their bright color, nectar, and pollen grains attract mason bees.
These solitary bees prefer sunflowers as they can resist diseases and infections.
The guts of mason bees have a pathogen called Crithidia Bombi. It is especially effective in combating this pathogen.
Sunflowers have a huge amount of nectar and pollen resources. This essential nutrition is necessary for the survival of mason bees.
You can plant a good number of sunflowers near the mason bees to attract these solitary bees.
Bee Balm
This particular plant works like a magnet for mason bees. Its flowers are large, complex, and rich in nectar. Bee balm is especially a top favorite for pollinators.
Their fragrant leaves can easily attract mason bees. It is best to plant pink and purple bee balm as these plants have reddish wavelengths.
Make sure to plant bee balm when the chance of frost is already gone. Early spring is the best time to sow the seeds of bee balm.
Purple Coneflower
When it comes to an abundant source of pollen and nectar, Purple Coneflower is an excellent choice. It works as larvae food to provide bees energy, protein, and other nutrients.
Mason bees will surely love Purple Coneflower as it is their favorite choice for pollination.
It is best to plant Purple Coneflower during the spring when there is no chance of frost. You can also start in early fall. But make sure to give them at least 6 weeks to develop roots.
Maintenance Tips for Mason Bee House
- Clean the Mason bee house when bees don’t emerge from their cocoons. There should not be any sign of mud, debris, remnants, and mites.
- Make sure to change nesting tubes each year after bees emerge. Clean and unused nesting tubes will prevent disease and parasites.
- Keep small piles of mud or clay near the bee house to effectively construct their nests.
- You can install wire mesh or netting around the mason house to prevent birds or other animals from disturbing the nests.
- Keep an eye on the mason bee house throughout the nesting season and provide immediate treatment if there is any sign of pests or diseases.
Final Words
Mason bees are super active, solitary, and non-aggressive. Building a mason bee house or nest block is crucial to provide a convenient and protected space for mason bees. This small nest also supports the conservation of these important pollinators.
Beekeepers also can watch the bees construct their nests, lay eggs, and see the emergence of new bees. Now you know the answer to this question: Can you move a mason bee? Make sure to regularly monitor the mason bee nest and resolve any issues whenever they arise.
