On a cold day I worked out in the garage with my camera recording above me. This was the first time I opened these homes so I slowly went through them. It took me a few hours to process a few hundred cocoons so I split this video up into four parts.

I use a screwdriver to crack open the large Bamboo containing the smaller Bamboo tubes. Over time I found myself opening the homes using some wire cutters and the screw driver to torque open cracks I made in the Bamboo.

I collect the Mason Bee Cocoons and keep them aside for washing. I was amazed how many would fit in a small area, and was consistently finding thirty or so eggs in a single tube. I found a tiny gnat sized Wasp inside the mud homes. Probably attacking the cocoons, a good reason to get them out and cleaned so they will be safe.

The backs of the Bamboo were also filled with cocoons, I was not expecting that. And along the inside walls of the large Bamboo mud structures were built. Maybe they ran out of tubes late in the season and just started building them in the large gaps between the tubes.

I spent about two or so hours doing these, and ended up having to work a half day with my friend to collect the rest, due to the disposable Bamboo tubes it was slow work to get them all out. I think next year will be much easier with my bee boards.

I will post part two in the next few days, of me continuing my work on processing the mason bee cocoons.

Video Link