by Lydia Holley October 21, 2024
Each year, volunteers join the Henderson County Master Gardener Association (HCMGA). There are several requirements to becoming a certified Master Gardener, including taking a multi-session class and volunteering 50 hours as an intern.
In Henderson County, interns usually band together to build a project or organize a seminar. The elected project is different every year, and this year, the intern class chose two: a compost bin and a mason bee hotel. Both are installed at HCMGA’s Harvest Garden located at Henderson County Regional FairPark Complex. The compost bin has been in use for several months, and the bee hotel was unveiled on October 8.
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.
Unlike honey bees, mason bees are native to the U.S. 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.
Mason bees put pollen in each egg cavity. When the eggs hatch, larvae eat the pollen for several weeks until they enter the pupal stage. They emerge from their cocoons in spring. Although mason bees may be the most popular solitary bee, according to the National Wildlife Foundation, there are over 4,000 bee species native to the U.S., with 98% of those being solitary bees. To attract and keep bees in your garden, add native flowers and reduce your use of pesticides.
HCMGA invites you to study the mason bee hotel whenever they hold an event at Harvest Garden. You may wish to buy or make your own mason bee house for your own garden.
Pictured, from left to right, are HCMGA interns Jean Russell, Amy Johnson, Cynthia Hight, Elizabeth (Lisa) Borjon, Jean Taylor, Virginia (Ginger) Proper, Charles (Chuck) Lohrmann.
For more information, call 903-675-6130, email [email protected].
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