We were really pleased when we discovered we had Red Mason Bees (Osmia rufa) nesting in the wall of our office, which is an old converted farm building. These bees are smaller than honey bees and are solitary, the female laying her eggs in a hole or crevice which she will re-model using mud to her own design and satisfaction. Contrary to popular belief they don’t actually cause much damage to walls and masonry as they use existing holes, so don’t be alarmed if you see them emerging your wall. You can see Mason Bees any time between March and July with the males emerging first.
Red Mason Bees have a wide variety of food sources but what pleases us most is that several of those species can be found in our wildflower and wildflower roof turf. Species such as Vipers Bugloss, Wild Thyme. Wild Marjoram, Meadow Cranesbill and White Stonecrop to name a few. So using our turf will help provide food for these tiny insects.
