I like it just the way you have it so it will rotate when hung and alternate between sides because they are both very attractive. I've seen this done with a large metal coffee can that has both top and bottom removed, then stuffed with brushy branches from trimmed trees and bushes...totally upcycled/repurposed items. All very cool.
Excellent video Luke. Down here in Deep South BAMA, we call them Carpenter Bees, they bore holes in trees and exposed wood on our homes, decks or fences. To many they are viewed as a destructive pest. As for me, I look at them as a very necessary integral part of my gardens and land. What I have noticed over the past years is a steady decline in Honey Bees, in our area. In fact this year, even though I am outside working on the property most of each day, in the gardens and such, I have yet to see one Honey Bee on my place. Oh I have plenty of things to attract bees, thousands of blackberries, blueberries, Holley, blooming vegetables, Chinese privet, different wildflowers and flowering trees. But not one single Honey Bee. What I do have is a lot of the black and yellow bumble bees, or as we call Carpenter Bees. They make their homes in the timbers that make up the south and west timber fences on my property lines. They bore about a half inch hole in them, I do not mind, that fence has been up for nearly 20 years now and all though its weathered, its still as strong as the day I put it up. Like this morning as I watered the plantings, I could hear my little buzzing buddies as they worked their way through the bean blossoms, cucumber blossoms, then on to the summer and winter squashes. Later on they buzzed between the blossoms of the peppers, okra and tomatoes. Without them I would have no other choice but to try and hand pollinate all of this I have planted, it could be done, but it would take so much time each and everyday. So I for one am thankful my little bumble bee buddies. I think you doing this video on creating a habitat for them is just awesome. The bamboo is an excellent choice and the the 8 inch depth will protect them when the cold months of winter set in. If the habitat is to shallow the bees would freeze. SO thanks again, I can only hope 10 % of your subscribers either make this or buy one on Amazon. If they do we can increase the population for next spring and each of us that garden will be the benefactors of what we built this fall. So till next time Luke, take care, you'all stay safe and God Bless You and Yours. Mr. Tom
Those are a completely separate species of bee. Carpenter bees are huge and can be destructive to wood structure, although they are beneficial in their own way. Carpenter bees are far too big for a home like he has made here. Homes like this are used by mason bees and leafcutter bees. Both solitary and highly effective pollinators that are not destructive like the carpenter bee.
ANOTHER GREAT DIY PROJECT I THINK I LIKE THE ORGANIC ROUGH-CUT AND I THINK THAT MIGHT LOOK GOOD ON BOTH SIDES AND WHO KNOWS WHAT YOU COULD USE FOR A FRAME. THANKS FOR SHARING AND HAVE A GREAT AND BLESSED DAY
Great instructional, you failed to mention how many pieces of bamboo it takes to fill a box ;) Mines only 6x6 and I'm still cutting sections of bamboo to fill it!
The box needs to have a back to protect one end of the reeds. Bees will choose protected reeds. You will also do best with a wire bee guard around the front. I had a beautiful, filled leafcutter bee house that was successfully used for three years, but the birds and squirrels got to it this year and pulled the reeds out and ate every one of the bee babies. :(
Totally off subject, but what happened with the 87 yo tomato project? Super curious about if y'all grew em again this year? Great video btw, never would have thought of this.
Here in NC Carpenter/Cutter Bees destroy boards on out buildings and even my parents wood house. They bore into it leaving weak spots through out the house.
I prefer the flat side simply bc I’m clumsy so I may walk into the uneven side and take out an eye! Will the bamboos have to be replaced every year if there is a cocoon in it?
Luke thanks for the info id like to build a leaf cutter bee house my only difficulty is how to cut the bamboo poles into short pieces? I cant uss a chainsaw im on medicine i cant saw by hand bamboo doesnt saw easily with a hand saw any ideas what i can do? Thanks luke i watch your videos alot
Simply put a sturdy stake or post in the ground and screw the post into the side of the bee house. Above ground level and somewhere a little sheltered and maybe close to some instect attracting flowers in your vegie garden. Look for beneficial insect mix of flower seeds.
i was told to keep it from spring till October and do not bring them inside as it might get to warm. to keep them in a cool covered patio. i was also told to put it near pollinating plants and always near mud..
Also South facing or East facing ( if you are in the Northern hemisphere) They like the morning sun :) I just watched a video where the lady brings them in over winter, to save them from emerging too early in Spring. It was interesting, but I don't want to interfere too much. I just want to help :)
Isn't that way too thick? I got one that is 2 inches thick and the bees are loving it. Also those openings look a little small for the bees around here.
A massive fan of your channel and love everything you do, was surprised to see this video pop up. We manufacture Leafcutter Bee Houses in New Zealand, and so disappointed to see you using bamboo. We make special nesting trays which we can harvest the bee cocoons from year after year, using bamboo will just turn this into a bee graveyard :(
Call me set in my ways, but I muchly prefer the boring ole flat edge. I would do it the other way if bees prefer it that way. Since you say it doesn't matter either way, I'll go with the flat edges on both sides. I base my decision on the fact that we're plagued by spider webs in the garden. It would look really messy with webbing in the random length edge "home.". I'm not a neatnik by any stretch of the imagination, but all those spider webs would really bother me. Thanks for this valuable DIY project.
Do the bees cut through the membranes between the hollow sections of the bamboo (where the "rings" are) in order to use more of the hollow? I like the flat side, not just for aesthetics. I would think it would keep the bees further out of the elements versus the individual bamboo reeds sticking out from the frame, exposed especially to the wind. It would be interesting to see how many bees survive in the bamboo reeds that stick out.
We just got a premade one I can’t wait til the spring mason bees come inhabit ours or any bees for that matter any tips on attracting the bees or are you purchasing yours
Have you tried putting it outside? bought one 2 weeks ago and the bees are using it. i was told to make sure it is near pollinating plants and that there is mud near the house. My one little guy loves radish and sweet pea leaves. i keep growing them and he keeps chomping on them-or she...lol
Hi, your house looks nice but it is not very healthy for bees. They need a tube at least 6" long as the female eggs are laid in the back and males in the front. All those bamboo have joints and so are not full tubes. If they are too short only male eggs will be laid and no females. A protruding roof is also important to keep them dry. Lots of great instructional videos can be found at "crown bees" site.
Love the video. Ordered some seeds and sent an email about it. I’ve gotten about 15 identical shipment confirmations from your store. I can help with the web development to prevent that kind of nonsense if you’d care to reach out.
