We manufacture two boxes for use with the wooden inserts and one for use with straws. We do not sell the wooden inserts because we buy them retail just like you. All boxes are coated with clear finish.
This is the box for the 96 hole inserts.
This is the box for the 48 hole inserts.
Plans for Medium and Large Mason Bee boxes. For use with wooden corrugated inserts or straws
Parts List for 48-hole inserts
- Roof – Made of quality ¾ inch exterior plywood 9×11 inches
- Sides – Made of 8×8 pine or fir with top angled at 5 degrees.
- Back – Made of 8×8 pine or fir beveled 5 degrees toward the front.
- Bottom – Made of 8×8 ¾” pine.
- Bee compartment is made of two pieces. Front is 6 ½ x 2 ½ with two 3/8-inch holes drilled in the front. The front is beveled at 5 degrees toward the front. The platform piece is made of 6 ½ x 7 ¼ pine.
Parts List for 96-hole inserts
- Roof – Made of quality ¾ inch exterior plywood 9×11 inches
- Sides – Made of 8×11 pine or fir with top angled at 5 degrees.
- Back – Made of 8×11 pine or fir beveled 5 degrees toward the front.
- Bottom – -Made of 8×8 ¾” pine.
- Bee compartment is made of two pieces. Front is 6 ½ x 2 ½ with two 3/8-inch holes drilled in the front. The front is beveled at 5 degrees toward the front. The platform piece is made of 6 ½ x 7 ¼ pine.
Note: The construction of both boxes are the same except for the dimensions of the sides and back. You should be able to make the boxes from one 1×12” 8-foot pine board. The roof should be made of something more weatherproof than pine, but pine will work if you use several coats of paint. Don’t make the two inside pieces in advance, as assembly might slightly change the dimensions.
Other tools and equipment needed: Glue (use waterproof glue like Tightbond III, Nails or screws, Saw and Hammer or screwdriver.
Start with the sides. The sides should be cut 8″ high for the 48 and 11″ for the 96 hole inserts. Then a 5 degree angle should be cut in the top of the board.
The back should be slightly over the 8 or 11 inches so you can cut a 5 degree angle to meet the angle of the sides.
The Back is 8 by a hair over 8 inches so there is room to cut the 5 degree bevel for the lid to fit smoothly.
The bottom is made of 8×8 3/4 pine. No angle cuts.
This is the assembly so far.
The escape chamber is made up of two pieces. The front and the platform.
The front has two 3/8 inch holes drilled in it for the bees to escape once they hatch.
The chamber is 2 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches.
The platform is 6 1/2 inches wide and 8 inches deep. Here it is assembled.
This is the assembly so far.
The lid is made if 3/4 inch Furniture grade plywood. That way the moisture has more trouble getting in the lid and warping. If you use a lesser grade of plywood, put tar paper or composite shingle on top to keep the rain out. Paint the box for more protection. Let the box dry thuroughly before putting the bees in it. If they smell something they don’t like, they will leave. You can leave the inside unpainted.
This is the hinge I use to hold the lid to the box. The hinge is put on the front so the box can be opened while it is mounted on a wall or tree.
The finished box.
Corrugated insert must be purchased from a Nursery or third party.
This is the box for the straws.