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What do you think of these types of things https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNncDK7MXHo/VRCXCXz6byI/AAAAAAAAJTo/UAeEseJeb2E/s1600/150322-2015-cnps-at-sf-flower-and-ga

• stinos 6y ago
  Don't know a whole lot about it, but as far as I can tell it's pretty good. Normally when I see one it gets used heavily; the holes by all kinds of mason bees and the rest as shelter/housing for other insects. Only possible problem: the wood shouldn't be treated (as a precaution, not sure if there is actual impact of chemicals on the bees in it). And when birds like woodpeckers discover this it's a feast and they will empty the whole thing but that's sort of natural in that it's normal behavior. But a construction like this of course makes it extra easy for them. Can be circumvented with steel wire 10cm in front of it.
• dkmn 6y ago
  Having a bee house (for mason bees) has worked very well for us. Harvesting the cocoons in fall helps prevent concentration and spread of parasites, so I find the split-and-drilled layered wooden blocks work very well and pay for themselves over time. I've heard some same the solid drilled wood, though cost-effective, can make the problem worse (they call them "bee tombs" though I suspect it's a bit hyperbolic). Agree with stinos about coarse bird mesh and using non-treated wood, but it hasn't been a problem for us.