Mason Bee Hotel

cults3d

I am looking into establishing a garden this year and have been investigating methods to be environmentally friendly, simple, and productive. A beehive is a great addition. Since members of my family are allergic to bees, mason bees (which don't sting) are the perfect choice for me. I liked several Mason Bee designs available, but as I mentioned earlier, the Pacific Northwest presents some challenges for anything outdoors. There are also a few things that Mason bees require that weren't accounted for in some designs. The small overhang will keep the openings drier and protect (to some degree) from birds that can no longer attack the hive while standing on top of it, and the compact design allows me to create multiple hives and space them out. There are holes at the bottom to secure it to the top of a fence post, and on the back to secure it to a south-facing wall (in my area). The drawer design enables me to remove parasites and extract the larva in late October to store them for the winter. Come next March, I will be able to place the larva outside in the sun to hatch. The small lips and grooves are designed to reduce the ability of any parasite that may enter (and they always do) from moving from one hole to the next. This is a significant problem with some homemade hives. There are two versions of the drawers (or trays). With and without grips. The drawers fit snugly, so if you want the grips, simply print that file. No need for both. As always, I appreciate feedback. Ideas for improvement are welcome.