7 replies to this topic

[Hayashi]

I’ve been trying to attract native bees to my homemade bee house in my garden for a couple years now and I’ve had no luck. I could buy cocoons online but it would be more fun to collect them from the wild. Has anybody had success finding them? I usually keep an eye out for bee activity when I’m out anting and hiking. I live in North San Diego county.

[ANTdrew]

I’d say the best way to attract native bees is to plant LOTS of native plants. Do you have natives in your yard?

[gcsnelling]

I concur, plant native plants, and only plants native to your immediate area. In addition collecting would be far more labor intensive than the value of the return and would potentially be detrimental to the wild populations.

Edited by gcsnelling, April 29 2019 - 2:49 PM.

[thosaka]

Small world. I live in Vista as well. I went to Santa Margarita River Hiking Trail 13 days ago. Just follow the trail until you see a sign that says stay away from the bee hive. There should be a tree there with a bee hive. Good luck.

[ANTdrew]

Also worth bearing in mind is that the majority of native bees nest in soil. Just leaving bare patches of soil will help native bees. I've only ever managed to attract Osmia cornifrons, an invasive species of Japanese mason bee, to my cavity nests. I don't really mind them because they are not as damaging as other invasive species.

[Hayashi]

Specifically I’m interested in mason bees that nest in hollow stems. My yard does have a small hillside with native plants but I guess I was hoping they would be attracted to my vegetable garden. I’ll do some more research on plants. I found this website that has good basic info in mason bees.
https://thehoneybeec...ees/mason-bees/
It talks about harvesting cocoons in the fall.

[thosaka]

There is a swarm of bees coming from the ventilation holes that lead to the attic in the house I live in in Vista. I am looking for someone to relocate them free of charge. Would you be interested in removing the hive/queen and bees from the attic? This offer will not stand for too long since I have guests coming over in 11 days from now. I hope to hear your reply before then!

Edited by thosaka, August 19 2019 - 6:08 PM.

[gcsnelling]

I suspect you will find no one. Your best bet is going to be a pest control company, since a great many feral colonies in S. Calif are africanized most bee keepers won't take them.