301 - Mason Bees 101: How to Care for Blue Orchard Bees (and Stop Houdini Flies) | PolliNation

Thyra Mckelvie joins PolliNation to discuss managing blue orchard bees (mason bees). Thyra is the Managing Director and Solitary Bee Educator at Rent Mason Bees. She outlines three essential care steps: start with clean, openable nesting material of proper size, remove nests at the end of spring to protect developing bees from summer predators, and harvest/clean cocoons in fall to control pests and disease. In addition, Thyra covers the key pests of mason bees include pollen mites, Houdini flies, chalkbrood fungus, and monodontomerus wasps, plus sterilization methods.

Rent Mason Bees website: https://rentmasonbees.com

Rent Mason Bees YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RentMasonBees

Houdini Fly Hunt - report if you have Houdini Flies: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwkcEVe6CfNoaoTDcSlXmIpX0HYUTmhOsZJihPvn8rCXNn8A/viewform?pli=1

00:00 Welcome to Mason Bee Season

01:01 What Are Blue Orchard Bees

02:39 Gentle Bees for Schools

04:06 Bee Hotels Need Maintenance

05:42 Avoid Bamboo and Log Hotels

07:01 Three Steps to Protect Cocoons

11:49 Predators and Parasites Explained

12:05 Inside a Nesting Chamber