
Using one 6 foot long, 1″ x 6″ cedar fence I was able to construct a basic native bee house. The entire piece of wood cost about $4.12 and I used about 2/3 of it.
Sides (2) – 6″ x 6.5″ – the tubes are 6″ so I prefer to have them slightly recessed.
Top and Bottom – both 6″ x 7″
Back – 6″ x 9″ – drill a hole at the top to support the house.
Shelf – measure to fit – approximately 4 5/8′ x 6″
This is used to put cocoons on in the spring.

Other Tips.
- Select the cedar boards with care. Try and find boards without knots.
- I will waterproof the roof later.
- The boards are actually 5 7/8″ so take that into consideration in your cutting.
- I plan to slightly tilt the house forward to help with drainage.
- You can either buy the tubes online or make your own.
- Please watch the video below to learn the basics.
- You can buy bees in cocoons from Crown Bees.
Option #2 – 3″ plastic pipe.


As of May 15th no Leaf Cutter bees have shown up.
Option #3 – 2″ x 6″ wood. Cut to fit in house.


Note – I used a 2 x 6 because that’s what I had in the wood pile. You could even use 2 x 4’s or 4 x 4’s. The 2″ x 6″ are actually only 1.5″ x 5.5″.
Mason Bee Tips
- Have a clay source nearby. Bees won’t nest if they can’t find clay.
- Point the houses toward the East or South to get the morning sun.
- Have plenty of flowering plants close to the mason bee house.
May 15 – Mason Bee Report

As of May 15th, the mason bees have filled up ten of the 8mm holes. It seem like a new hole is filled around every day or so.