Solitary Bees

Learn About Solitary Bee Nests

Nesting Tubes

Mason Bees use 8mm tubes.
Leafcutter Bees use 6mm tubes.

Each mason or leafcutter bee chooses a nesting tube to claim as their own. In nature, they choose to nest in broken, hollow stems or holes within dead wood. Neither mason nor leafcutter bees make holes in wood. They find existing holes to make their nests.

Be sure to provide at least 1 nesting hole for each cocoon (both male and female). A female may fill two or more nesting tubes during her short 4-6 week lifespan.

Bees first visually identify their home, then use scent to find their individual nesting tube. Tubes should be arranged in a 3D, haphazard fashion with some tubes extending out further than others to help the bees visually find their nesting hole. Wooden trays are usually sold with scorch marks on the face with the openings to help with nesting hole identification.

Good Nesting Tube Options

Cardboard Tubes

Cardboard tubes are relatively inexpensive. They can be thick enough to protect from pests, but still easy to open and harvest cocoons. They are replaced each year.

Natural Reeds

…NOT bamboo! Lakebed reeds are the most similar to what a mason or leafcutter bee would choose in nature. They are a little more expensive that cardboard, but more durable. It’s easy to harvest cocoons by splitting the end of the reed with a butter knife and peeling it open. Reeds are replaced each year.

Wooden Trays

Though more expensive, stackable wooden trays have the benefit of being reusable from year to year. They do a good job of protecting from parasitic wasps. They also retain scent, making the nests more attractive from season to season. Cocoons are easily harvested after unstacking the trays.

Bad Nesting Tube Options

Paper Tubes

Paper tubes are not particularly durable and parasitic wasps can easily get through the thin, paper walls.

Bamboo

Bamboo is thick and you won’t be able to open them to collect cocoons. It also tends to get moldy.

Block of Wood with Drilled Holes

Unless you use a paper liner within each drilled hole, you won’t be able to access you cocoons or clean it each season.

Bee Houses

Tubes or trays are placed together in a bee house (aka hotel or condo). Your bee house should have a roof that extends 2-3 inches longer than the nesting holes to protect from the rain. Many bee houses also have an “attic” to place bee cocoons where they can safely emerge.

House Placement

Place about 5 feet off the ground against a sturdy surface with the openings facing south or southeast.
Be sure that the bees have open blooms and their preferred nesting materials (mud or leaves) within their 300 ft flying radius.

Placing it 5 feet off the ground keeps the bees and their nests safe from animals on the ground. It also makes them easier to observe!
Installing the nest on a sturdy fence or tree prevents the nest from moving in the wind.
Facing the openings south or southeast allows the bees to get morning sun to warm up and get flying.
If the bees can't find pollen, nectar, and mud within 300 ft of the nest, they will make their home elsewhere!