What You'll Need
- Bamboo stalks or hollow paper tubes (6–8" long, 3/16"–3/8" diameter)
- A tin can, PVC pipe section, or wooden box as the "building"
- Twine or wire for hanging
- A spot with morning sun, sheltered from rain
How To Do It
- Cut bamboo into 6–8" lengths. Each piece is one apartment. Sand the cut ends lightly so they're not sharp.
- Pack the tubes tightly into your container — they should fit snugly so they don't rattle or fall out.
- Face the opening east or southeast to catch morning sun. Mason bees need warmth to get going each day.
- Mount 4–6 feet off the ground on a fence post, wall, or tree — sheltered from direct afternoon rain.
- Plant nearby — mason bees forage within 300 feet of their nest. Wildflowers, fruit trees, and native plants are perfect.
What to Watch For
- A tube sealed with mud = a female has laid eggs inside! Each mud cap means 6–8 eggs behind it
- Tubes sealed with chewed leaves = leafcutter bees, a different species — equally welcome!
- Return the following spring: new adults chew their way out in early March
Grandma Says
Mason bees are 120× more efficient pollinators than honeybees. One mason bee does the pollination work of 120 honeybees. This little condo is worth its weight in fruit.