The Cocoons in the Fridge

It is getting colder outside, and what that means is that it is time for many animals to sleep, or go dormant.  That is including the fuzzy little pollinators that we put out in the spring. As the weather is colder, and the rain begins to fall, the best way to ensure as many bees emerge to pollinate plants for the summer is to preserve cocoons.  I wrote a previous article on the benefits of having mason bees around. The following shows how to get as many little bees to pollinate your garden and fruit trees next year as possible.

First take the straws out of the bee box.  Pull the straws apart. Inside you will find mud, pollen, and bee pupae feces.  Clean as much of this off each cocoon, and set aside. Once all of the cocoons are harvested, rinse them off.  After getting them as clean as you can, make a bleach solution, and put the cocoons inside. Rinse them again. Lay the little ones out to dry in a cold and dry place.  I usually do this in the garage, or garden shed. Once they are dry, you can put them in a air tight tupperware container, and keep them in the crisper in the fridge until spring.  

You can choose to leave cocoons out in the bee house, until the bees come out on their own, however, you leave them to wind, rain, and other predators. The best way to ensure that you have the healthiest, and best mason bees next year, is cleaning them up and preserving them now.