How to Build a Bee House

How to build a bee house:

• With drill bits of various sizes (5/16th of an inch works best for Mason bees) simply take some scrap lumber and drill holes 3 to 5 inches deep but not all the way through the wood block. For example, get a 4 inch by 4 inch piece of wood and drill holes that are 3 and 1/2 inches deep.

• You can cover the holes with chicken wire to help keep birds away from the bee house.

• Securely place the bee house on the South side of buildings, fence posts, or trees.

• Scatter some of the houses throughout your community. You may find an excellent location to trap some bees and then move them to your location.

• DO NOT move bee houses after they are in place until at least November.

• DO NOT spray insecticides on or around bee houses.

• If you choose to build your own bee houses, DO NOT use treated wood.