Mason Bee rebuild process
I took both of my mason bee condos and cleaned them up. I pulled out old staples and nailed everything. I have some thin styrofoam which is sandwiched between layers of thin paper. I put the styrofoam on the condos so that the tubes will be protected from the rain. I have found it is important to soak the panels in water. It only takes a few minutes, then I remove the paper. You have to remove the paper, otherwise in the weather the paper warps the foam. Just get rid of the paper.
The bottom of one condo had many black spots. I took it off and soaked it in diluted bleach for about 20 minutes. Then I rinsed it off under running water. I put it next to an heating system air vent to dry it.
In a day or so, I will attached the dried bottom to the condo.
I have many tubes completed. As soon as the condos are complete, I will install the tubes.
Ok the bottom is now attached to the bee condo. I need to make more tubes so that I can fill up the condos.