Raspberry canes and carpenter bees

Are you wanting to raise bees in your yard but feeling daunted by the requirements of a hive or Mason bee rearing? You may already have some beneficial bees nesting in your garden right now.

As seen here, these friendly carpenter bees like to burrow in spent berry canes such as last year's raspberries. They don't harm the living plant, choosing only dead tissue. How can you foster these pollinators for next year? Leave a foot or more on your clipped spent berry canes when the fruiting is done for the season. This will give these bees a possible roost to seek out for laying their eggs for next spring.

Was this page helpful?

Related Content from OSU Extension

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.