Come visit the Mason Bee Hotel Pollinator Habitat! It’s located along the back fence at the Harvest Garden.
Mason bees are different from honey bees. They are a solitary bee, and they do not produce honey. Because they do not have a hive to protect, they do not sting unless they are provoked or trapped. And since their stingers contain no venom, it is less painful than a honey bee sting.
Mason bees get their name from the mud they use to make chambers for eggs. Since they have no hive, they will lay eggs in hollow twigs or cracks in buildings. If you have ever seen a hole capped with mud, you probably have a mason bee nest. Any hole is considered. That is why a mason bee house is so welcome to them.
Not sure if you are looking at a mason bee or a honey bee? Many mason bees have a colorful, shiny, metallic appearance ranging from black, green, or blue. Honey bees have pollen sacs on their legs. Mason bees do not have these. They roll around in the pollen, picking up grains on their entire hairy body. This messy technique also makes them a much more efficient pollinator.
What are pollinators?
- Pollinators are beneficial insects that take pollen from one flowering plant to another so that new plant seeds can be produced.
- Some examples of pollinators are:
- ladybugs
- butterflies
- moths
- bees (honeybees and solitary bees)
- wind
Why do we need pollinators?
- Pollinators are critical for plant reproduction and food production.
- More than 80 percent of the world’s flowering plants need a pollinator to
reproduce. - One-third of our nation’s food supply depends on pollinators.
- Foods such as fruits, vegetables, chocolate, coffee, nuts, and spices are
created with the help of pollinators.
Why artificial pollinator habitats?
- Artificial habitats benefit our gardens by:
- drawing pollinators
- decreasing pests
- helping to increase production of produce
- providing visual interest
- Many of our native pollinators are at risk due to:
- Habitat loss
- Pesticide use
- Climate change
- Introduced diseases
- Invasive species
Why artificial solitary bee habitats?
Bees play a part in every aspect of the ecosystem by:
- providing half of the crop pollination services worldwide.
- supporting the growth of trees, flowers, and other plants, which serve as food and shelter for creatures large and small.
- contributing to complex ecosystems that allow a diverse number of different species to co-exist.
The greater the diversity of bees, the better the pollination!
Bee Diversity
Worldwide Bee Species:
Bumblebees 1% Stingless Bees 3% Honeybees 0.035% Solitary Bees 96%
There are approximately 20,000 known species
Bee Hotel Design Specifications
Identify target insects:
- Mason Bees
- Lady Bugs
- Butterflies
- Moths
Design should provide protection from:
- Rain
- Predators
- Mowing
- Disease
Determine Mason Bee Requirements:
- Ideal Cavity for Laying Eggs
- 1⁄4” wide
- 6” deep
- Staggered locations
- Clean
Determine Pollinator Box Installation Requirements:
- Minimum 12” from the ground
- Not more than 4’ height for
lady bugs/tomato plants
Our Habitat Design Plan
The team determined that the design must include:
- Suitable cavities for egg laying (bamboo, logs with bore holes, paper straws)
- Shelter (roof overhang, pine cones for lady bugs, butterflies, moths)
- Annual clean out access (removeable 1⁄4” grid front to deter predators, permits annual clean out)
- Mowing access
Bee Hotel Installation
Our Bee Hotel was installed and unveiled on October 8th 2024 at the Master Gardeners Harvest Garden.
The Harvest Garden is currently located at:
Henderson County Regional Fair Park
3356 TX-31 BUS
Athens, TX 75751
Make Your Own Bee House!
Download instructions to make your own bee house HERE.
Download a Bee Coloring Page (click the image)
References & Resources
Texas A&M Agrilife Service and Texas Beekeepers Association: ”Texas Bee Identification Guide”
https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/Texas_bee_guide_FINAL-6.17.24.pdf
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service: “Pollination and Pollinators: The Basics”
https://txmg.org/galveston/pollination-and-pollinators-the-basics/
Texas A&M Agrilife Service: “Creating an Insect & Pollinator Friendly Garden”
https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/creating-an-insect-pollinator-friendly-garden/01t4x000004OUcVAAW
Crown Bees a Solitary Solution: https://crownbees.com/pages/free-resources-for-
educators?srsltid=AfmBOorwIMuvT2e8jaAETPeDH81HPBZI8kbxuFb4j978VKgbUrWnWmK7
Nebraska Extension: https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g2256/2021/html/view