Solitary Bees

Getting Started:
M—L—Bee house, with hardware and tools to mount
M—L—8mm tubes or wooden trays (≥1 per mason bee cocoon)
M—L—6mm tubes or wooden trays (≥1 per leafcutter bee cocoon)
M—L—Clayey mud nearby (<300 feet away) for mason bees
M—L—Preferred leaves nearby (<300 feet away) for leafcutter bees
M—L—(rose, lilac, hosta, dahlia, peas, beans, strawberries)
M—L—Open blooms nearby (<300 feet away)
M—L—Access to a refrigerator (mason bees only!)
M—L—Mason and leafcutter bee cocoons!

Storage (Summer for Mason Bees, Fall and Winter for Leafcutter Bees):
M—L—Fine-mesh bag for nesting materials
M—L—Access to unconditioned and unheated shed or garage

Harvesting:
M—L—Gauge stick
M—L—Scissors for cardboard tubes (optional)
M—L—Butter knife for reeds (optional)
M—L—Cleaning brush for wooden trays
M—L—Flat-head screwdriver or cocoon removal tool
M—L—Phillips-head screwdriver, popsicle stick, or cocoon removal tool
M—L—Pan or newspaper to catch cocoons

Cleaning (Mason Bees Only):
M—L—Colander/strainer
M—L—Lukewarm water
M—L—Bleach (optional)
M—L—Sand (optional)
M—L—Winter storage container
M—L—Access to a refrigerator

Incubating (Leafcutter Bees Only):
M—L—Fine-mesh bag
M—L—Access to warm (~70-80°F), dark place, like a water heater room