These specially drilled wooden tubes are the ideal for mason bees and leafcutter bees and other overwintering insects. The tubes come in a range of sizes from 5mm up to 12mm; the middle sizes 7mm to 10mm are best for solitary bees. It can be used to fill existing bee boxes or to make a simple bee nester.
Solitary bees are gentle bees and excellent pollinators to increase vegetable, flower and fruit yields.
From March to August, these bee species will lay eggs in the tubes and create a series of cells from mud or leaf. The larvae will develop over the winter period in the tubes and will then emerge the following spring. Ensure that your own bee box is well-insulated or overwinter your full bee box in the shed or garage. If left outside cover the full tubes with wire mesh to prevent predation from greedy woodpeckers.
Siting
Position your bee box in a sunny position about 1 or 2 metres above the ground. Preferably amongst flowers/foliage, so that the face of the bee box catches the morning sun.
- To help the conservation of these species, please support the International Bee Research Association – IBRA WEBSITE.
Range from 5mm – 12mm Internal Diameter x 150mm Long
