Daily Archives: February 23, 2011
The reason for setting out cocoons within the protection of a house that shelters nesting tunnels, is to provide the cocoons, and the mason bees inside, a place that is protected from predators like mice, protected from the sun and protected from rain and snow.
It depends on the design of the house whether cocoons can simply be set within the house, like underneath the roof of the Highrise or whether space needs to be created for the vial like in the Starter Cottage.
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| Royal house with predator guard |
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| Temporarily remove predator guard from the front of the Royal house, and set vial on its side, with tab removed, underneath peaked roof. Replace predator guard. |
The Royal house is similar to the Highrise. Simply remove predator guard, and set vial on its side underneath the peaked roof.
If you have a Lodge- without the predator guard, or the Chalet with a predator guard, space needs to be created for the vial containing cocoons. Remove one set of trays, insert vial above trays and replace vial with tray when all bees have emerged.
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| Lodge without predator guard. |
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| Chalet with predator guard. |
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| Unwrap bundle of nesting trays by removing electricians tape. Remove one set of trays, and re-tape remaining nesting trays. The vial can now be inserted under the roof and adjacent to the nesting tunnels. |
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| Replace the predator guard of the Chalet after vial has been set inside the house. When all bees have emerged- about 2 weeks after first bees emerge, remove vial, tape up the individual tray and set above other trays. |
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| If you buy a vial of Beediverse Mason Bee cocoons from a store, the cocoons need to be set it out adjacent to mason bee nesting tunnels. Cocoons are washed, screened and candled before packaging them into vials. |
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| If you have a Starter Cottage with cardboard tubes it is best to set the vial of cocoons inside the cottage amongst the nesting tubes. |
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| Temporarily remove front door to access cardboard tubes. |
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| Remove a few cardboard tube to make room for one vial containing mason bee cocoons. Remove red tab covering the exit hole of the vial, and place vial amongst tubes. |
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| Replace front door and hang Starter Cottage on an East facing wall, in the sunshine and out of the rain. This cottage can also be set down on a shelf. Make sure it is secure so the wind or predators do not knock it off the shelf. |
