Thyra McKelvie joins Andony Melathopoulos with PolliNation & the Oregon Bee Project to discuss managing blue orchard bees (mason bees). Thyra is the Managing Director and Solitary Bee Educator at Rent Mason Bees. She outlines three essential care steps: start with clean, openable nesting material of proper size, remove nests at the end of spring to protect developing bees from summer predators, and harvest/clean cocoons in fall to control pests and disease. In addition, Thyra covers the key pests of mason bees include pollen mites, Houdini flies, chalkbrood fungus, and monodontomerus wasps, plus sterilization methods.
Solitary bee care changes with the seasons. Our emails help you know what to do next, from spring release through summer care, fall returns/harvest and winter preparation.
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