In most of the country right now our Spring is snow, hail, sleet and freezing cold temperatures. You won’t see a lot of bee activity when it’s cold or pouring down rain. Mason bees will lay low, find shelter and try to survive these cold temperatures by self generating their own heat and slowing their metabolism. Some will survive and others may not… it just depends on how long the snow lasts and when it will warm up again. Remember, they’ve hibernated over winter in cold weather, so their instincts will kick in when presented with cold spring weather.
Daytime temps need to be 55+ degrees and nigh time temps can dip below that, but when it’s freezing cold all day long and then you get a bunch of snow, it’s not good for any spring pollinator or our early spring blooming trees. This is the time when our farmers will loose crops and food.
Once you hang your house and release your bees, you can’t move the house or nesting block. It can confuse them and they may loose their way back to your house.
Here are some tips you can do:
- If your bees emerged prior to snow, they may venture out looking for food. Head to the garden/nursery and buy any blooming bushes/trees. They too might not have any, but if they grow in a greenhouse you may have better luck.
- Brush off all your plants, bushes and flowers that had blooms prior to freeze or snow.
Leave a Reply