[yawz]

When we talk about "saving bees", most people think about honey bees. I'm a hobbyist beekeeper, and honey bees have a good chance of surviving thanks to people who care about them.

However, in most places, there are dozens or hundreds of other bee species. We don't know or hear much about them. They are solitary bees, various types of bumblebees, etc. They are the ones disappearing, and fast. Unfortunately, they are the first victims of growing urban areas, mono-culturing and pesticides.

[soperj]

I make mason bee houses(hotels, whatever) where ever I end up living (renting, moved around a bit). They're pretty awesome, no stingers, pollinate everything, and the houses are easy to build.

[mlinksva]

Interesting, thanks for posting this. I take some care to plant 'bee friendly' stuff but have no interest in beekeeping and have never bothered to look up fostering non-honeybees. Now I will do this after reading your comment http://www.ecolandscaping.org/03/beneficials/attract-mason-b... and some of the links from there.

[yawz]

Great! Mason bees are very gentle, and are good pollinators for fruits, nuts and certain flowers. We've had a small mason bee house for a while in the back yard. My son loves it. :)

[garyrichardson]

Does anyone have links to similar things for North American solitary bees? These houses seem to be UK specific?

[yawz]

I live in Colorado. We have mason bees around here. And you should be able to find mason bee houses in certain big garden centers, big home improvement shops and online:

http://smile.amazon.com/s/?field-keywords=mason+bee+house

[kentbrew]

Pinterest is your friend: https://www.pinterest.com/explore/bee-house/