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
- News
-
-
Memorial Day Observances
Here is a listing of Memorial Day events this weekend in the Central Susquehanna Valley.
-
Four charged in ripoffs that hurt eight local senior citizens
Four Philadelphia men have been charged with operating an elaborate scam that targeted hundreds of elderly residents across Pennsylvania, including eight Valley seniors.
-
Midd-West taxpayers face increase of $109
MIDDLEBURG — The Midd-West School District on Thursday night announced an average property tax increase of $109 to help offset its $1.8 million budget deficit for the 2012-13 school year.
Midd-West will also close two elementary schools, consolidate two middle schools, cut programs and furlough seven teachers and 23 other staff members. -
Jokester cop tased intern at station
NORTHUMBERLAND — A Northumberland police detective claims in a lawsuit filed Wednesday he was wrongly blamed after an officer shot an intern with a Taser gun while fooling around at the police station in December.
-
Jerry Sandusky charity to shut down and transfer programs
PHILADELPHIA — The charity for troubled youths started by Jerry Sandusky more than three decades ago — and through which the retired Penn State assistant football coach met the boys he is charged with sexually abusing — said today it is seeking court approval to shut down and transfer its programs to a Texas-based youth ministry that serves abused and neglected children.
-
Man pleads guilty in 2006 Penn State student death
STATE COLLEGE — A man whose murder conviction was previously thrown out in the fatal beating of a Penn State student six years ago has pleaded guilty in the killing under a deal with prosecutors.
-
Streaker at Phillies-Cardinals game last night lost a bet
ST. LOUIS — The streaker who ran naked onto the field during a Cardinals game says he did so because he lost a bet.
-
Privately-operated Dragon capsule arrives at space station
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Space station astronauts have captured the Dragon. The privately bankrolled Dragon capsule arrived at the International Space Station today, making history as the first commercial delivery truck in orbit
-
10 Things to Know Today
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today (times EDT):
-
LARA: Charred bridge sound
LEWISBURG — The fire-damaged railroad bridge crossing the Susquehanna River at Lewisburg is structurally sound following the March fire that discolored steel and charred roughly 400 ties, the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority said at its meeting Thursday.
-
Stat of the Day: $2.6 million
Stat of the Day: $2.6 million.
That's what President Barack Obama has spent on advertising in Iowa, which may be a battleground state in November's election against presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney.
-
Northampton County jury sentences man to death in officer killing
EASTON — Jurors in eastern Pennsylvania have sentenced a man to death for fatally shooting a police officer last summer.
- More News Headlines
-
