{"id":3971,"date":"2022-04-11T12:41:11","date_gmt":"2022-04-11T11:41:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reviveabee.com\/?p=3971"},"modified":"2024-01-05T11:22:11","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T11:22:11","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-mason-bee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reviveabee.com\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-mason-bee\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mason Bee (Bee Species Explained)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mason bee or in some cases, mortar bee is the commonly used name for the bee species Osmia of the family Megachilidae. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bees included under the mason bee genus are the horn-faced bee, the blueberry bee, the red mason bee and the orchard mason bee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do mason bees look like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

They are typically shades of metallic blue, black or green with one species displaying a rusty red colour as shown by the orchard mason bee in the first image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do mason bees sting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The female mason bee is equipped with a stinger for self-defence. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike some other bee species, mason bees are noted for their lack of aggression and are happy to live and forage near humans so you are very unlikely to be stung.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the rare case that one does sting, they’re reported to be relatively unpainful with similarities to a small pinch and nothing like the pain experienced by a honeybee sting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When do mason bees appear?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mason bees typically emerge in early Spring and are seen all the way through to late summer. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a whole, the species prefer a temperate climate so are generally located in areas that don’t experience large changes in temperature through the seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do mason bees do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mason bees are most commonly known for their preference to nest in poorly maintained mortar and cement. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They will either utilise existing holes in the mortar to use as nesting sites for their larva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s worth noting they will also find mason bee nests in gutters, roofs, window frames, bricks and any other small cavities on your property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which flowers do mason bees pollinate?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mason bees are referred to as generalists. This means that they are happy to forage and pollinate a wide range of flowers, trees and shrubs. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike honeybees, they will only forage close to their nest and primarily within a few dozen feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This practice means that they will generally utilise resources close to home so the location of the nest will dictate their pollination radius and the plants and flowers they visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out which plants are best for solitary bees<\/a> in your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are mason bees good to have around?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Prolific pollinators and relatively unaggressive mason bees are fantastic for their surrounding habitat. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The concern most often raised around these bees is their destruction of mortar and brickwork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this is true of the masonry bee, it usually takes a very long time for the tiny holes mason\/mortar bees create to have a detrimental effect on the structure of your property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Got a bee issue in or around your home? <\/strong>Find out how to keep bees away naturally<\/a><\/strong> in our handy guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you make a mason bee house?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Much like other bees and insects, you can create a natural structure to encourage mason bees to nest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch the two video parts below for a detailed guide on making your mason bee house with tubing\/straws perfect for their nests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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