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.
"You need to dig out your soil about four inches deep and mix the dirt with a cup of sand and then refill the depression," he said. "That will help filter the water, and toads love to dig, so the sand is good for that."
Some garden centers may sell toad houses, but Helbig prefers to make his with hardware cloth and netting. When it's finished, he sprays it with a polyurethane sealer and lets it dry. The houses can be made in any shape or size.
In addition to bee blocks and toad houses, Helbig makes English style bat boxes and bluebird boxes. The material is all recycled, with the exception of the fasteners needed for the lids.
"I get the wood from wherever I can find it," he said. "The roofing metal I use on the bat and bluebird houses comes from scrap "¦" Helbig said while he does charge a minimal fee for his creations, it's not about the money.
"We know so little about nature," he said. "I want to share what information I've learned."
As part of that effort, Helbig plans to get a Web site for Earthbird up and running in the near future and hopes to begin offering programs at the library next spring.
n Jerri Brouse is a freelance writer who lives in Lewisburg. E-mail comments to scoop@ptd.net.
News
Man houses nature's creatures
Bees, toads, bats and birds find shelter in yard
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