Mason (Orchard) Bees

[gottabee]

I plan to raise some Mason (Orchard) Bees next spring. Why? Curiosity probably. I really enjoy beekeeping and find all God's little creatures fascinating. They're like potato chips - addictive and you cant have just one. My assumption is that they will not have an
adverse affect on my honeybee colonies since they're largley unsocial and solitary.
If you have experience or insight please share especially if they affect the honeybee population.
I've read some interesting articles on them. Here is a couple of links.
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Other/note109/note109.html
http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/inse006/inse006.htm

[JP]

All I can say is mason bees are very cool, have fun with them and let us know how they are doing with updates and pics. Thanks,


...JP

[mtman1849]

for what I have read I don't think they would have and effect on the honeybee for 2 reason there range is much shorter and their lifespan is shorter too.  Most of there work is done in the spring and honeybees work til fall.  I think I might give this a try too.