#beehotel — Public Fediverse posts

If you have a bee hotel and want to get rid of Houdini flies, go buy a bottle of malbec and make this trap. #BeeHotel #InsectHotel #MasonBees #HoudiniFlies #osmia #bees #insects #malbec #wine #nature #pollinators https://colinpurrington.com/2026/05/red-wine-trap-for-controlling-houdini-flies-at-bee-hotels/

The rumors are true — Houdini flies are extremely fond of cheap malbec. Blog post forthcoming with tips on trap design, but if you have an insect hotel and want to kill these kleptoparasites, go get yourself a bottle ASAP. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #flies #osmia #wine #insects #malbec #pollination

OK, I'm off to the garage to make Houdini fly traps. Learned via reddit that Nicole Kenney of Portland, Oregon, has been busy testing attractants for several years and THE WINNER IS MALBEC. Brilliant. #MasonBees #BeeHotel #InsectHotel #HoudiniFly #cacoxenus #science #diptera #wine #malbec #drosophilidae #flies #portland

Houdini fly (Cacoxenus indagator), a kleptoparasite of mason bees from Europe that showed up in North America circa 2011. Whenever I walk past my insect hotel I take a moment to squish them. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #insects #diptera

Hornfaced bee (Osmia cornifrons) using mud to cap a nest at one of my insect hotels. Called the bean-flower bee (mame-ko bachi) in Japan because the balls of pollen and nectar they pack inside stems for their larvae to eat are as tasty as a dessert made from honey and soybean flour. The species was introduced to North America in the 1970s as a way to increase productivity of apple orchards. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #pollination #bees #osmia #insects #orchard #gardening

Houdini fly (Cacoxenus indagator) that I found near one of my insect hotels. Kleptoparasitic on mason bees *and* not native to the USA, so unwelcome. I've been experimenting with different types of tape to see whether I can remove them by trapping, but so far no joy. Still looking for the Goldilocks product that is tacky enough to snag small flies but doesn't affect the bees. If anyone has suggestions of brands to try, I'd be grateful. #HoudiniFly #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #insect #cacoxenus #diptera #fly #bees #nature #macrophotography

Male Georgia mason bee (Osmia georgica) backed into a nesting tunnel in the observation wing of my backyard insect hotel. For some reason the males love these tunnels but the females, who do all the nest provisioning, never move in. He's just loitering, waiting for the temperature to warm up and for the females to arrive in the area. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #MasonBees #bees #insects #nature

Morning light on the insect hotel and ADUs. No visitors yet, but I've seen male Osmia nearby so won't be long. New to the hotel this year are offerings of pithy stems (hydrangea, rose) to hopefully attract small carpenter bees (Ceratina) and digger wasps (Pemphredon). #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #wasps #insects #hymenoptera #pollinators #biology

Five second video of a parasitic cuckoo wasp at one of my insect hotels. I love how their antennae are always in motion. And their huge eyes. And their metallic color. But huge pain to ID. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #CuckooWasp #chrysididae #insects #bees #wasps

Five second video of a parasitic cuckoo wasp at one of my insect hotels. I love how their antennae are always in motion. And their huge eyes. And their metallic color. But huge pain to ID. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #CuckooWasp #chrysididae #insects #bees #wasps

Earlier this week I noticed that one of the Georgia mason bees (Osmia georgica) at the front-yard insect hotel had capped off her nest. They use masticated leaves and nectar. Not sure what the white things are. She's since moved on to another paper straw. So busy! #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #pollinators #osmia

Earlier this week I noticed that one of the Georgia mason bees (Osmia georgica) at the front-yard insect hotel had capped off her nest. They use masticated leaves and nectar. Not sure what the white things are. She's since moved on to another paper straw. So busy! #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #pollinators #osmia

Georgia mason bee (Osmia georgica) exiting her nesting tunnel after depositing a load of pollen. I don't think I've ever seen one on any of the flowers in my yard but they are supposed to be generalists. That said, it's reported (by Paula Sharp & Ross Eatman) that they adore fleabane, positioning their head in the center of the flower and spinning around. #MasonBee #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #osmia #bee #bees #insect

Georgia mason bee (Osmia georgica) exiting her nesting tunnel after depositing a load of pollen. I don't think I've ever seen one on any of the flowers in my yard but they are supposed to be generalists. That said, it's reported (by Paula Sharp & Ross Eatman) that they adore fleabane, positioning their head in the center of the flower and spinning around. #MasonBee #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #osmia #bee #bees #insect

Found this Houdini fly (Cacoxenus indagator) lurking around one of my bee hotels today. They are kleptoparasites of mason bees (Osmia spp.) and are not native to North America. They are the number one reason why nesting tubes in my area (Pennsylvania) should be cleaned during the winter. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THEM. #BeeHotel #InsectHotel #MasonBees #bee #bees #flies #diptera #inaturalist #insects

Found this Houdini fly (Cacoxenus indagator) lurking around one of my bee hotels today. They are kleptoparasites of mason bees (Osmia spp.) and are not native to North America. They are the number one reason why nesting tubes in my area (Pennsylvania) should be cleaned during the winter. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THEM. #BeeHotel #InsectHotel #MasonBees #bee #bees #flies #diptera #inaturalist #insects

Short clip of a female Osmia foraging for clay in my yard. The first two spots were not sufficiently wet, I think. If you can't find mud in your yard you can buy it online. But I bet if you asked your friends, *somebody* can set you up. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #wasps https://youtu.be/JLkVsTcFUyc?si=vl3cnAqfjKDcdkfV

Short clip of a female Osmia foraging for clay in my yard. The first two spots were not sufficiently wet, I think. If you can't find mud in your yard you can buy it online. But I bet if you asked your friends, *somebody* can set you up. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #wasps https://youtu.be/JLkVsTcFUyc?si=vl3cnAqfjKDcdkfV

This might be a record for me: 16 mason bee cocoons in a single nesting tube. The ones on the left are larger and likely all females. The smaller ones on the right are males, who emerge first and then wait for females to come out. It's really cool how hymenopterans can control the sex of eggs they lay (males are from unfertilized eggs). Osmia georgica. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #cocoons #insects #pollinators #hymenoptera #osmia #haplodiploidy

This might be a record for me: 16 mason bee cocoons in a single nesting tube. The ones on the left are larger and likely all females. The smaller ones on the right are males, who emerge first and then wait for females to come out. It's really cool how hymenopterans can control the sex of eggs they lay (males are from unfertilized eggs). Osmia georgica. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #cocoons #insects #pollinators #hymenoptera #osmia #haplodiploidy

It was cold yesterday so the mason bees just chilled in the nesting holes, watching me with boredom as I did yard work. Hitting 65 °F today so that should change. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #pollinators

It was cold yesterday so the mason bees just chilled in the nesting holes, watching me with boredom as I did yard work. Hitting 65 °F today so that should change. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #pollinators

Just a man roasting a hot dog on a burning bee hotel. These cheapo ones made with bamboo cannot be cleaned and thus are only good for propagating mites and Houdini flies. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #pollinators #canada #vancouver #bamboo https://www.instagram.com/p/CHJMuEvnKTy/

Just a man roasting a hot dog on a burning bee hotel. These cheapo ones made with bamboo cannot be cleaned and thus are only good for propagating mites and Houdini flies. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #pollinators #canada #vancouver #bamboo https://www.instagram.com/p/CHJMuEvnKTy/

Just another scene from the observation wing of my backyard insect hotel. I don't know whether they turn around after entering or whether they back in. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #osmia #insects

Just another scene from the observation wing of my backyard insect hotel. I don't know whether they turn around after entering or whether they back in. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #osmia #insects

Visual guide to pests of mason bees. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #osmia #wasps #mites #parasites https://extension.psu.edu/enemies-of-mason-bees

Visual guide to pests of mason bees. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #osmia #wasps #mites #parasites https://extension.psu.edu/enemies-of-mason-bees

Missing from the above site is the answer to, "How do I clean a bamboo insect hotel?" The answer, of course, is that you can't — there's no easy way to open them, plus they are often glued in place. And if bees are nesting in the same stems year after year, so are Houdini flies, parasitic wasps, mites, dermestid beetles, fungi, and bacteria. Sure, your local bees will keep using the bamboo and everything *appears* peachy, but if you split one open you'd likely find it loaded with things that are making the bees sad. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #ParasiteHotel #bees #insects #bamboo

Missing from the above site is the answer to, "How do I clean a bamboo insect hotel?" The answer, of course, is that you can't — there's no easy way to open them, plus they are often glued in place. And if bees are nesting in the same stems year after year, so are Houdini flies, parasitic wasps, mites, dermestid beetles, fungi, and bacteria. Sure, your local bees will keep using the bamboo and everything *appears* peachy, but if you split one open you'd likely find it loaded with things that are making the bees sad. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #ParasiteHotel #bees #insects #bamboo

Just an example of an insect hotel you should never, ever buy. The jagged ends of the reeds can damage the wings of mason bees as they try to back out. Splinters might even trap them inside. Manufactured by Dobar (Gronau, Germany) and sold by Lidl. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #pollinators #lidl

Just an example of an insect hotel you should never, ever buy. The jagged ends of the reeds can damage the wings of mason bees as they try to back out. Splinters might even trap them inside. Manufactured by Dobar (Gronau, Germany) and sold by Lidl. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #insects #pollinators #lidl

Huge compilation of tips for maintaining an insect hotel, by Elsa Youngsteadt and Meredith Favre. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #wasps #insects #pollinators #pollination https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/how-to-manage-a-successful-bee-hotel

Huge compilation of tips for maintaining an insect hotel, by Elsa Youngsteadt and Meredith Favre. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #wasps #insects #pollinators #pollination https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/how-to-manage-a-successful-bee-hotel

Video of a female mason bee (Osmia sp.) backing out of a tunnel at my insect hotel. This is the observation wing (pulls out and has plexiglas cover) so I'd be delighted if she chose to nest there. #BeeHotel #InsectHotel #bees #insects #pollinators #osmia

Video of a female mason bee (Osmia sp.) backing out of a tunnel at my insect hotel. This is the observation wing (pulls out and has plexiglas cover) so I'd be delighted if she chose to nest there. #BeeHotel #InsectHotel #bees #insects #pollinators #osmia

In bee news, male Osmia are showing up at the insect hotel in my back yard (Swarthmore, PA, USA). The females never choose to use these tunnels, sadly, opting instead for the smaller, paper-lined cavities in the wood blocks. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #MasonBees #bees #nature #pollinators #insects

In bee news, male Osmia are showing up at the insect hotel in my back yard (Swarthmore, PA, USA). The females never choose to use these tunnels, sadly, opting instead for the smaller, paper-lined cavities in the wood blocks. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #MasonBees #bees #nature #pollinators #insects

The observation panel on my insect hotel has been cleared of last year's occupants (grass-carry wasps), sterilized, and reassembled for a new season. Need to get myself a neon VACANCY sign. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #wasps #insects #pollinators

De rosse metselbij/Osmia bicornis/l'osmie rousse/red mason bee is out! She's looking for pollen and places to depose new eggs.
The bamboo tubes in insect hotels wither away, start to split and need replacement. As today is not a good day for computer work, I whipped out the inherited vintage workmate and started sawing.
If you do this, make sure to make clean cuts. The bees wings fray from sharp edges.

#InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #hymenoptera #insects #pollen

Two cocoons of the Georgia mason bee (Osmia georgica) bejeweled with bright orange frass and leftover pollen grains, and separated by a layer of chewed leaves. Fresh from my insect hotel and likely a day or two away from emerging. Males will come out first and wait, very impatiently, for the females to arrive. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #hymenoptera #insects #pollen

A thread of how I sort through my insect hotels in advance of the season. #InsectHotel #BeeHotel #bees #wasps #hymenoptera #insects #pollinators 1/n

Just baking the insect hotel, as one does, to kill any dermestid beetles, book lice, and mites that are hiding in the cracks after the bee and wasp cocoons have been removed. #BeeHotel #InsectHotel #bees #wasps #hymenoptera #insects #pollinators #entomology