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A small wall-mounted mason bee house with an angled roof and a removable, replaceable drilled nesting block.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roof panels 22.5° bevel on the top edge so the two panels meet at a peak. | 2 | 3/4" × 6" × 8" | Scrap wood | ☐ |
| Side panels Top edge beveled to match the roof angle. | 2 | 3/4" × 5" × 8" | Scrap wood | ☐ |
| Bottom panel | 1 | 3/4" × 5" × 6" | Scrap wood | ☐ |
| Back panel | 1 | 3/4" × 6" × 9" | Scrap wood or plywood | ☐ |
| Nesting block Drilled with 5/16" (or slightly larger) holes, 6-8" deep. Removable, not glued in — swap every 1-2 years. | 1 | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 7" | Laminated 2x4 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Scrap wood or 2x4, untreated Avoid pressure-treated stock. | 6 board ft | ☐ |
| Exterior wood glue (Titebond II/III) | 2 oz | ☐ |
| Exterior spray paint (blue or purple) Avoid red and dark tones. Exterior only — leave the nesting wood bare. | 1 can | ☐ |
Overall cost: $. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Miter Saw. Materials: Scrap wood or 2x4, untreated
Cut the two roof panels with a 22.5° bevel on the top edge so they'll meet at a peak, and the two side panels with the top edge beveled to match.
Tools: Miter Saw. Materials: Scrap wood or 2x4, untreated
Cut a bottom panel and a back panel from scrap stock or plywood.
Tools: Spring Clamps. Materials: Scrap wood or 2x4, untreated, Exterior wood glue (Titebond II/III)
Glue the sides, bottom, and back together into a box, then attach the two beveled roof panels on top so they meet at the peak.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Forstner Bits. Materials: Scrap wood or 2x4, untreated
Laminate scrap 2x4 stock into a block sized to the depth of the housing, then drill 5/16" (or slightly larger) holes 6-8" deep to serve as the nesting insert.
Vary the hole diameter and depth across the block rather than standardizing — different bee species and sexes use different sizes, so a mix attracts more occupants than one uniform size.
Materials: Exterior spray paint (blue or purple)
Paint the exterior only, in blue or purple — avoid red and dark tones. Leave the nesting block completely unfinished.
Mount with the roof overhang facing morning sun exposure, keeping the nesting holes sheltered from rain. Replace the nesting block every 1-2 years — this is regular maintenance, not a repair.