I was going to blast you for making the neighbourhood unsafe for folks with bee sting allergies--and you tell me you are encouraging non-stinging bees.

I never knew there were any!

good for you on getting the bee nest. yes, CCD (colony collapse disorder) is VERY serious and there is no known cure for the virus yet. we could be without bees by 2025 if help isn't found! this means no fruits or veggies among a whole host of other items. just corn and wheat to eat.

What a smart idea -
- Thanks for sharing this with us!

Hmm... I once attended a session where they taught you how to make just such a colony using the larger size of drinking straws. In that case, they emphasized that the openings had to be just that particular size, or the bees wouldn't use them. But I suppose it depends on what type of bees are native to your area.

I ended up in a few dead-end jobs along the way, but my big three possible careers were architect, interior designer & entomologist. I love bugs, so much that when I was little, I once got grounded for punching my little brother for stomping on a honeybee crawling on a piece of white clover. I don't do that anymore, but then he doesn't stomp bees anymore, either, so I guess he learned his lesson.

Anyway, I think this is a great idea, and it's cool looking too. Now I need to find out about that drinkingstraw thing. One of those made out of those big multicolored pastel straws would be just the thing.

Link to Gardener's Supply doesn't work.

oops! link fixed, thanks!

They're also available here:

http://www.highcountrygardens.com/catalog/product/T0011/

I've been putting off ordering bees and this post reminded me that I wanted to order them. Well, guess what? it's too late to order them anywhere. They have to ship when they are dormant. The only way to get bees now is to buy from a local supplier. Alternatively, you can hang out a bee house (for example) and hope some bees move in. Otherwise, order in October/November for next winter, and plan for bees in the spring!

I applaud your feelings for the bee.

The bee is a tiny animal - its insides get clogged up with carbon nanoparticles - and it dies.

I wonder if you can all work out where those nanoparticles come from.

I'm so glad you wrote on this Shayna. This is one of those things that has been keeping me up at night lately. I have a neighbor who keeps bees and sells honey on a honor system from his front yard. Every night when I pass his place CCD crosses my mind. The Mason Bee House sounds like a great idea. Thanks again for bringing up a subject that more people should know about.

What keeps the bee house from attracting bees that DO sting?

Jamilkb, that's my question! Eeep! :)

I don't think bees that sting are attracted to that type of housing - they typically build their own hives as they are social. Mason Bees aren't social bees, they are more independent.

Sigh. I know all of this because my dad is a beekeeper, and he decided to give my brother mason bees for Christmas.

"What? You're going to have bees? Wrapped? Under the tree??? Bees?? LIVE BEES? Wrapped. Under the tree." Yep, that freaked me out a bit (I have a fear of bees).

-Jillian
http://www.theuselessconsumer.com