Anyone in the PNW have success with building a mason bee house? I just saw a filled in house in a new friend's garden. He made it out of bamboo. The bees had filled every tube, which were a variety of sizes. I looked online and read that the holes should be 5/16" but most of the bamboo were much larger in my friend's house. What experience do you have? What about location? Does north, south, east, or west facing make a difference?
I made one house by drilling holes in a block of wood and attached it to the south facing wall of my house about 5 feet off the ground. My friend mounted his close to the ground, east facing on the west side of his garden.
I also made 3 bumblebee houses and have set them out. I am hoping to encourage more pollinators as the honey bees are few in my area, especially when my cherry trees are blooming.
