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Mason Bee Houseby mtairymd on January 19, 2015

Table of Contents

Mason Bee House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro:   Mason Bee House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1:   Tools/Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 2:   Drawing Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 3:   Cut wood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 4:   Drill Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 5:   Assemble Main Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 6:   Paint Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 7:   Finish (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 8:   Attach Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 9:   Parchment Tube Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Step 10:   Roll The Tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Step 11:   Insert The Tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Step 12:   Bending The Tubes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Step 13:   Attach Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Step 14:   Finished Mason Bee House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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Intro:  Mason Bee HouseNative mason bees can be housed to protect them from pests, diseases and predators. They are excellent early season pollinators for orchards and other early seasonfruit crops. Mason bees can do more work than non-native honey bees, even on a cloudy rainy day. Also, mason bees are solitary non-aggressive bees, which makesthem ideal for folks with pets or children. The initial step for the care of mason bees is to build a nest block or mason bee house.

I have included a video of the build along with a PDF version of the plans.

Video:

Drawing:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B21TbB8gGNQbZXhYU...

Step 1: Tools/MaterialsTools:

Table SawDrill press/ hand drillBand saw (optional)Drill bits (3/8”) – paper will bring actual size down to 5/16”Wood clampsPaint brushesTape MeasurePencil

Materials:

2” x 6” x 52” Long untreated lumber - cedar or redwood is not recommended for the house portion16” x 16” x ¾”tk woodWood glueScrewsPaint (optional)Natural Stain (optional)Parchment paper¼” wood dowel x 7” Long

Step 2: Drawing ViewsYou will be building to this drawing.

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Step 3: Cut woodCut 2”x6” lumber as shown in drawings. Cut plywood for roof and backer plate. Note: plywood was the material on hand. Solid lumber may be used for a longer lastingroof and back plate.

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Step 4: Drill HolesDrill holes completely through the 5.5” depth of the 2” x 6” per drawing. A drill press is recommended. Standard drill presses are limited to a 2” or 3” travel. After firstpass, use scrap wood under the lumber section that you are drilling. The holes will have to be drilled multiple times to greater depth with each pass. I had to use a handdrill to get the last ½”- see video.

Step 5: Assemble Main SectionGlue lumber together as shown. Clamp the lumber and wipe off any excess glue. Make sure the back of the house is flush. A back plate will be screwed on during thefinal assembly.

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Step 6: Paint RoofPaint the roof pieces with exterior grade paint.

Step 7: Finish (Optional)Use natural (non-toxic) stain for the main house. Note that there are several Instructables on natural stains.

I chose an instant coffee version:

¼ cup hot water3 Tablespoons instant coffee granules

Step 8: Attach RoofAttach roof to the main structure using glue and screws or nails. Touch up paint as required.

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Step 9: Parchment Tube MaterialsUse 1/4" dia. dowel and parchment paper for baking to make the removable tubes. Dimensions for each strip are 6” long x 2.5” wide - this can vary up to 4" width. If youare using different dimensions, parchment should be cut at least 1/2” longer than the depth of the house. Note: Do not use paper, wax paper or recycled cardboard forDIY tubes. Mold can destroy the hibernating bees.

Step 10: Roll The TubeRoll each parchment tube tight against the dowel. Proceed to the next step for each hole to be lined. Repeat these steps until you have all the holes lined. Note that thismight be easier if you live in Washington, Oregon or Colorado :).

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Step 11: Insert The TubeFrom the front of the house, insert the paper wrapped dowel in the hole as shown. Carefully slide the dowel out of the hole on the back side of the house while leaving theparchment paper inside. The parchment paper tube should be flush with the front side of the house and stick out the back about 1/2". Note: If the paper is not snug alongthe sides of the hole, slide the paper tube back and forth until the tube is snug inside the hole. Just be sure to leave the ½” sticking out the back side of the house.

Step 12: Bending The TubesWhen all of the holes are filled with parchment paper tubes, turn the bee house face down. Bend each tube sharply down towards the bottom of the house as shown inphoto/video. Once all the ends are bent down, proceed to the next step.

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Step 13: Attach BackTrim or adjust the bent tube ends making sure nothing will stick out the sides of the backer plate. Attach the back plate tightly with screws.

Step 14: Finished Mason Bee HouseMethods and procedures for the management of orchard mason bees vary. State extension agency web sites can provide information on the cultivation of orchard masonbees for your locality.

A future instructable will include installation, storage, cleaning and maintance of the mason bee house.

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How to handpollinatetomatoes forlargerproduction andharvest (video)by Get Forked

Happy Home forour friends theMason Bees! bydanica

The MaterBaterPollinator bybiochemtronics

how to controlpest insects inyour gardenusing yourgarden bycalskin

Home-madeInsect Hotel forSolitary Bees.Repurposedwood. Part 1'The Chalet'.Hotel ainsectes. (video)by Pavlovafowl

Make your ownlittle BeeHouses bycart562

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