Bees Love Reeds
Natural reeds are a bee's favorite nesting material. When given a choice, cavity-nesting bees will use reeds first because they find them visually attractive. The reeds' varying sizes helps each female find the nesting cavity that belongs to her.
Our reeds are gathered from lake beds and swamps. They are hand cut to 6" lengths and naturally vary in diameter. We offer 7-10mm for spring mason bees and 4-7mm for summer leafcutter bees. We include natural reeds in our InvitaBeeTM Attractant to help bees transition into reusable wood trays and cardboard BeeTubesTM.
We do not recommend reusing reeds because pest and disease buildup can kill your bee house population.
Instructions
- Hold reeds in one hand with open ends facing out. Nature is not about straight lines and mussing the reeds up with some sticking out further than others makes it easier for the bee to identify which reed is hers.
- Insert them into the bee house as far back as possible to protect them from the elements.
- After the bees have completed their flying season, place the reeds in a BeeGuardTM Pest Prevention Bag until harvest.
How to Open Natural Reeds
- Pinch the open or capped end of the reed and it will begin to split.
- Carefully pull the reed apart.