Mason Bee’s do a wonderful job pollinating fruit trees, especially here in the Pacific Northwest where our spring weather makes conditions less than idea. Unfortunately it was a little less than ideal year for Mason Bees but demand among commercial growers is way up. Unfortunately that means the average homeowner will be hard pressed to find Mason Bees for purchase.

Fortunately, if you have fruit trees in the back yard you probably already have native Mason Bees in your area and with a little help you can raise your own and build up a good population of your own.

It’s as easy as putting out a Mason us cialis Bee nesting block. Most garden centers have nesting blocks you can buy. The important thing to look for is the proper size hole, 5/16″ x 5″. Studies show that with holes shorter than 5″ you will get mostly male bees, unfortunately it’s the females that do all the work. Nesting blocks are easy to make. Get a block of wood and drill holes 5/16″ x 5″ or 6″ deep, spaced about 3/4″ apart.