I bought me some bees

Discussion in 'Wildlife Corner' started by RandyRos, May 23, 2016.

  1. RandyRos

    RandyRos Gardener

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    and they hatched!! Red Mason Bees. Hubby helped me make 2 bee boxes out of an old post, and then I bought another one from Morrisons for £3!!! They love them all. There were approx. 15 I bought, half males half females, but as you can see I must have attracted lots of wild ones, too. The boxes are getting full up.
    I'm leaving the area underneath the boxes to go wild and I've seen Miner Bees in the ground there!
    Look closely at the Morrisons box pics, you'll see a bee in each one.
     

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    • "M"

      "M" Total Gardener

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      How exciting! :dancy: You must be thrilled to bits; well done :dbgrtmb:
       
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      • jennywren

        jennywren Gardener

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        That's fantastic - I didn't even know you could buy miner bees.
         
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        • Loofah

          Loofah Admin Staff Member

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          I dug a footings trench and found the bees loved it so much they all wanted to move in. I'm left not wanting to disturb them but still wanting to build a wall...
           
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          • RandyRos

            RandyRos Gardener

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            Yes, I'm like a kid in a sweet shop. Very sad lol

            I bought Mason Bees, the Miner bees are wild ones. You can probably buy them somewhere. I bought the Mason bees from ebay lol
             
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            • RandyRos

              RandyRos Gardener

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              Oh dear lol maybe they could be persuaded out into other accommodation, if you can identify what type they are?
               
            • Sandy Ground

              Sandy Ground Total Gardener

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              After discovering how important bees are to life and well being (or is that bee-ing?, I have a completely new understanding of them.

              Well done and congratulations on your buy.
               
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              • Loofah

                Loofah Admin Staff Member

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                Think they're miners but will look them up
                 
              • martin-f

                martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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                Great stuff :), you've inspired me to go and make one :), i will make a few more if I get any bee/insect interest :).
                IMG_1089.JPG
                 
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                • luciusmaximus

                  luciusmaximus Total Gardener

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                  An exciting time for you RandyRos:) Will the Bees live permanently in the houses? Are you hoping they will breed? How did you hatch them?
                   
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                  • RandyRos

                    RandyRos Gardener

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                    I bought a cardboard tube of bees that was sealed with mud. They hatched and dug their way out and the females came back and started using the other holes to lay eggs. They lay one at a time and seal the hole after each one with mud. Then they seal the end of the hole with mud and they will hatch next year and do the same thing :)
                     
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                    • Fern4

                      Fern4 Total Gardener

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                      Nice one! Well done :dbgrtmb: :)
                       
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                      • Tm120

                        Tm120 Gardener

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                        That's something on my very long list I'd love to have
                         
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