Added some bamboo tubes

 The bees seem to be running out of tubes,soi cut some bamboo.

I cut 4 inch pieces and I use clay to seal the ends. 

Total new tubes amount to 25 tubes. 

about 20 days until cocoon harvest/cleaning

 This being Sept 27, there are about 20 days remaining until the end of

second week in October.  At that time I will harvest the cocoons.

The rainy season has begun

 In one more month the harvest of mason bee cocoons will happen.

taking my first steps with my 12 year old cousin watching the event

Think I have to call this out as cheating because my father was holding my hand to keep me steady on my feet.

water and bleach solution to clean mason bees (3 wildly different opinions)

 I have seen several solutions which are supposed to clean mason bee

cocoons.

1) mason bees for sale dot com

solution of cold water and bleach. Use approximately 1 tablespoon for every cup of water.

2) davidsuzuki.org

five per cent oxygen bleach solution. 

That is more that half a cup.  Are you kidding !!!!

3) bentonswcd.org/time-clean-mason-bee-cocoons/bleach.

1-2  teaspoons of household bleach into 1 gallon of water

---------------------------------

The range of concentration between these sources is CRAZY.  Personally, I would go with the

weakest solution which is number 3.  Last fall I used  a solution of 1 teaspoon in a gallon of water.

I could smell the bleach at that weak dilution.  I cannot imagine what a tablespoon of bleach would do in a CUP of water !

Found these instructions for washing cocoons in website masonbeesforsale.com The website is full of valuable information

HOW TO DISINFECT BEE COCOONS

Materials: container to wash bees in, paper towels, bleach, water, measuring tools.

1. Mix a solution of cold water and bleach. Use approximately 1 tablespoon for every cup of water.
2. Place cocoons in solution and agitate (move around) until all areas of the cocoons have been exposed to solution. Let sit in solution occasionally agitating cocoons for up to 20 min. (Cocoons can be submerged longer but 10-20 minutes does the job without harming the bees).
3. Remove cocoons and pat dry with paper towels. If any of the cocoons sank in the water throw them away. Sinking cocoons indicate that the bee did not form correctly and has died.
4. Place bees in clean bee safe and store in refrigerator.

Instructions in www.masonbeesforsale.com

here is another set of instructions (somewhat different)

https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/how-to-care-mason-bees-year-round/

Today is August 30 which is 46 days until October 15

 October 15 will be cocoon harvesting day.

MUST SEE page discussing mason bees terrific close up photos

https://organiccontrol.com/2020/11/10/mason-bees-for-christmas-2/

only 48 days until cocoon harvest

50 days until Oct 15

 I checked the condos today, and no damage has occurred.

Extension information

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/documents/12281/masonbee.pdf

I like this extension document. Lots of good material.

count down 52 days from August 24 to October 15

 October 15 is the day the cocoons will be gathered from the

mason bee condos.

July 24, 2021

 Condos look good.  Waiting for October to harvest cocoons.

July 16, 2021 Bumble bees and honey bees

 Lots of bumble bees and honey bees visiting flowers. A fair number of wasps also in the yard.  It seems like my lavender is the most popular flower. The California poppy is also attractive to the bees but I have very few poppies compared with my lavender.  I constantly take cuttings and increase my lavender plants. 

July 8, 2021 Condo 4 about 18 or 19 tubes have filled tubes

 Condo 4

  The last of the condos is this number 4. Also quickly made. I used recycled mailing envelopes as a test.  We will see how well the tubes preformed.  The advantage seemed to be I could easily make the walls of the tubes very thick.  Many unfilled tubes seems to show that the end of the egg laying season was progressing.  

July 8, 2021 Condo 3 this overflow condo shows about one third filled tubes

 A quickly constructed house. Condo 1 was nearly filled so I put this up for the overflow near the end of the egg laying period. It was mounted directly beneath condo 1.  I tried making bundles of tubes because it appeared easier to seal the back ends and install the bundles as packages.

July 8, 2021 Condo 2 only about 7 tubes not completely filled

 Condo 2

Almost all tubes seemed fill. Only about 6 tubes appear empty. Not sure if the apparently empty tubes are just partially filled. Notice the thick piece of Styrofoam on the side of the condo.  This protects the bee cocoons from the hot western sun side. The roof material is Styrofoam but the roof is only about 1/4 inch thick.

july 8.2021 condo 1 nearly every tube filled

•  Essentially completely filled all tubes.  While a few appear empty, they may be just partially filled. We will see the facts when I tear them apart in October.  There are several tubes in the "attic" area of the condo. There is a backdoor to the attic so in October when I do the cocoon processing, we will see how many bees preferred a private tube room.  The attack area is directly in back of the white rectangle.

        In October I plan to make a cocoon processing video. Stay tuned.

• In O

July 5, 2021

 Cocoons are in their tubes just doing the metamorphosing thing.

In about 3 and a half months I will be opening the tubes.

July 2, 2021

 Heat wave has ended.  Condos are totally quiet. According to most sources, mason bees should not be expected after mid June. Sure enough, no bees now.

I still see plenty of bumblebees. Of course they will not use the mason bee condos.

June 29, 2021

 Heat wave continues.

Now I just keep an eye on things and wait for October 15.

June 26 2021

 Heat wave.  No way are any mason bees still flying.

Now all my bees are in cocoons and developing. I put screens over

the condos to protect against birds.