Encouraging Mason Bees to relocate? (spiders, front yard, spring, how to)

[GRF206]

I resided my house 2 summers ago, and have been noticing some dirt or mud accumulating on one wall of the sheltered alcove where my front door is (it faces north, away from rain, and is under the cover of a small roof). At first I didn't know what was causing it, but I finally realized that Mason Bees are nesting in the openings between some of the shingles.

I'm all for having the mason bees around, pollinating my blueberries and other plants, but I'd rather not have them nesting in my shingles, and making the mess they are making on the siding right next to my front door. I've read they don't actually damage the wood, but they are still making a mess.

Anyway, I just build a fairly large mason bee house, and I've placed it right next the 12 blueberry bushes that I have in the front yard.

Wondering if it is too late in the spring to hope the bees will start nesting there, instead of in my shingles? The mason bee box is about 25 feet from the wall they seem to like.

Anybody have any experience with this critters?

Thanks

(now I just have to figure out how to get caulk up in those openings to prevent future critter nest building)

[LIcenter]

Is this a recent in-habitation, or have you just noticed the activity? If the latter you might want to bring in a bee guy/gal to remove the nest. Then seal the point of entry accordingly.

[GRF206]

I think you've confused my question with people asking about other kinds of bees. These are mason bees -- they don't build group nests -- they live solo, in holes they can find.

Some gardeners encourage them around their plants by putting in custom mason bee houses like this one

[Creekcat]

I've seen Mud Daubers, which build tube-like structures and stock them with paralyzed spiders for their young.

[jacqueg]

Originally Posted by GRF206

I resided my house 2 summers ago, and have been noticing some dirt or mud accumulating on one wall of the sheltered alcove where my front door is (it faces north, away from rain, and is under the cover of a small roof). At first I didn't know what was causing it, but I finally realized that Mason Bees are nesting in the openings between some of the shingles.

I'm all for having the mason bees around, pollinating my blueberries and other plants, but I'd rather not have them nesting in my shingles, and making the mess they are making on the siding right next to my front door. I've read they don't actually damage the wood, but they are still making a mess.

Anyway, I just build a fairly large mason bee house, and I've placed it right next the 12 blueberry bushes that I have in the front yard.

Wondering if it is too late in the spring to hope the bees will start nesting there, instead of in my shingles? The mason bee box is about 25 feet from the wall they seem to like.

Anybody have any experience with this critters?

Thanks

(now I just have to figure out how to get caulk up in those openings to prevent future critter nest building)

I would ask the folks here - Crown Bees

[Moth]

I keep a Mason Bee house.

I suppose you could wait until they have hatched and then seal the crevices. At the same time, put the house up near where they have been nesting.

But yea, call Crown Bees and ask them/

[TwinbrookNine]

A little OT, but you mentioned mason wasps. I'd stay away from them. Despite being solitary, they can be aggressive (apparently they are quite territorial). I had one come after me after I inadvertently walked too close to her nest in the corner of my garage. She chased me halfway down the block! They have an especially painful sting from what I've been told.

[lakeworth60]

What happened. Did the bee house work. I want to build the mason bee house, and wanted. To know if it worked. Thanks.

[jackmichigan]

Originally Posted by GRF206

Encouraging Mason Bees to relocate?

Give them their own jars.