How to Attract Mason Bees and Keep Them in Your Garden by Cheryl Kaumeyer Wethey

 

Note nesting tubes that are being plugged with mud. 
All photos by Cheryl Kaumeyer Wethey

Solitary Bees make up 70% of the bee population in Colorado.   Included in this category are Mason Bees, members of Osmia lignaria species.   The Mason Bee gets its name from its characteristic behavior of incorporating mud like a brick mason in building and sealing their nests. 

I'll take that house by the Native Mason Bees & Vicky Spelman

Mason bee moving in May 27, 2022
All Photos: Vicky Spelman

Recently, I found an abandoned mud dauber’s nest that I sat down on a work/storage table under the covered patio. A few days later, I noticed a lot of activity around this mud nest.  The mason bees were moving in – ready made housing for them.