Replacement tubes made of giant cane

You can restock your BeeHome or replace individual nesting tubes with the giant reed replacement tubes. Under "Notes" we explain how this works.

Giant reed (Arundo donax), also known as Spanish cane, is ideal as nesting material for mason bees in your BeeHome. Unlike ordinary common reed, the thickness of the giant reed limits the spread of parasites and parasitic wasps between nests and protects the offspring.

The tubes have a diameter between 5 and 11 millimeters and a length of more than 13 centimeters – perfect for the needs of mason bees. Approximately 20 other wild bee species can nest in the nesting tubes.

The tunnel base of the tubes must be closed so that the wild bee feels safe. Each tube has a knot, known as internodes, as a natural dividing wall in the passages. As a natural product, the tube may be interrupted. Sometimes small white membranes are found in the tubes; these do not bother the bees and are simply transported out.

Important: Wild bees prefer smooth nesting entrances that they can crawl into and out of without risk of injury. They leave splintered and fibrous tubes untouched. For this reason, all our reed tubes for the BeeHomes are carefully sanded.

Please note: The replacement tubes have not yet been sanded by us. Remove any wood splinters so that the tubes are smooth and the bees cannot injure their wings when flying in and out. Please note that replacement tubes CANNOT be sent in individually for wild bee care in autumn.

The delivery includes: 

● approx. 100 giant reed tubes, suitable for your BeeHome 
 

How to replace the tubes in your BeeHome:

The ideal time for replacement is outside the mason bee flight season, i.e., between September and February. Try to avoid replacement between February and August, if possible.

Start by placing your BeeHome on a smooth surface with the tube side facing up. Remove the old tubes, which are not glued but merely stuffed in. Pliers can be helpful here. As soon as a tube is removed, the contents of the box should loosen slightly.

Before replacing the older, empty tubes, examine them carefully to ensure no wild bees are still nesting in them. It is best to use a flashlight to illuminate the interior. If you are unsure whether there are still bees in a tube, leave it outdoors in a weather-protected spot and do not throw it away.

Then insert the new tubes. These have a "knot" as a natural divider, which should be aligned towards the back of the BeeHome when inserted, so that there is enough space at the front for nesting. Make sure the box is tightly packed again so that nothing can shift or fall out.

Finally, remove any wood shavings so that the tubes are smooth and the bees do not injure their wings when flying in and out. You can brush the tubes with a firm brush or sand them with sandpaper (grit 80-150).

Tip: You can mark sealed tubes annually with a pen, for example, with a green dot on the nesting seal for tubes sealed in 2024. For marking on the nesting seal, it is best to use a soft brush, or place the dot on the tube itself if you are using a firmer pen. This marking will then give you an overview of whether there is still activity in the nesting tubes or if it's time for a replacement.