subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Mon, Nov 09 2009 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Published June 30, 2008 06:09 am - Unlike many people, Rolf Helbig doesn't run screaming when a bee lands on his arm. Instead, he gently blows it off and goes about his business -- which just happens to involve those very bees.


Man houses nature's creatures
Bees, toads, bats and birds find shelter in yard

By Jerri Brouse
For The Daily Item

MIFFLINBURG -- Unlike many people, Rolf Helbig doesn't run screaming when a bee lands on his arm. Instead, he gently blows it off and goes about his business -- which just happens to involve those very bees.

Through his business, Earthbird, Helbig is doing his best to help propagate bees, which have been declining in population over the past few years.

"My main goal is to promote bee education," said Helbig. "I want people to get more involved in what's around us." To do that, Helbig has been busy in his workshop creating Bee Blocks, which he sells both directly and through the Natural Food Store on Route 45 in Lewisburg.

Bee blocks are small blocks of non-treated lumber -- no smaller than a four by four -- that feature tiny holes drilled in the face.

"That's it, there's nothing to it," said Helbig. "There is no pattern to worry about, they're just holes drilled with either a three-eighths or one-quarter drill bit."

The idea behind a bee block is to provide a location where bees can fly in, lay eggs and leave.

"The female goes into each hole and lays eggs," said Helbig. "Then she seals the hole shut. "¦ They are fun to watch and easy to put up. And they can be used over and over again."

Helbig said bee blocks should be hung in shady places around a property, preferably at the eve of a house or on a tree.

"You don't want to put them in direct sun or you'll cook them out," he said.

So far, Helbig has only two bee blocks up at his own house, but he's looking to get more hung soon. Helbig found out about bee blocks through his wife, who read an article about how bee blocks were used in the western part of the United States for solitary bees.

"The idea is brilliant," he said.

If you're worried about getting stung, you shouldn't be. Helbig said the bees around here are "non-aggressive" and will only bother you if you bother them. "You don't want to start swatting at them," he said. "You just have to learn to think that way -- it's hard to do."

When he's not busy drilling holes in wood, Helbig keeps busy trying to provide shelter for another of nature's creatures -- toads. He uses just about any type of material to make these "toad teepees" that are great for gardens and yards anywhere.

"Toads are good for insect control," he said. "Every yard should have one." Helbig said though you may not see them, toads "are everywhere. Everyone associates frogs with water," he said. "But they are on the move. "¦ The toad really is a land frog, and if you put a toad teepee in your yard, they will use them."

The key to attracting toads to your property, Helbig said, is soil preparation.



print this story    email this story   





Customer Service
Free Coupons to Print


autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

CDL Class A Driver
CDL Drivers, Class A, Tractor trailer drivers. Home every night. Call 570-524-0249...>MORE

Air Quality Specialist
Up to $15.60/hr to start.
Air Quality Specialist. Local outlet. 25/30 people to start immediately. No exp. nec. Com
...>MORE

Full Time Accountant
SEDA-COUNCIL OF
GOVERNMENTS

FT ACCOUNTANT

Primary responsibilities -
budget forecasting,
...>MORE

Daytime Residentail Cleaning
Day time position avail. doing residential cleaning approx. 25-30 hpw. Must have valid driver's lic & be dependable. App...>MORE

Librarina/Media Specialist

Notice of Professional Opening
On or about January 23rd, 2010

The Lewisburg Area School District i
...>MORE

See all ads


Domes and Spires book Free Coupons Circulation Updates Promises - weddings - engagements- anniversaries Photo Gallery Subscribe now - Inside PA Tv Channels Public Notices Mortgage Rates Pennsylvania Lottery

 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index