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Item Number: PBE2001A

Orchard Mason Bees (20 ct)

Orchard Mason Bees (20 ct)

1 mason bee can do the work of 100 honey bees

Nature’s Super Pollinators for Your Garden

Orchard Mason Bees are gentle, efficient pollinators that thrive in gardens, orchards, and backyard landscapes. Unlike honeybees, these solitary bees do not form hives or produce honey, but their pollination abilities far surpass those of their hive-dwelling counterparts. With their compact, metallic-blue bodies and rapid flight, they work tirelessly in early spring, visiting fruit trees, berries, and flowering plants to ensure bountiful harvests.

Hardy and adaptable, Orchard Mason Bees are well-suited to a variety of climates, emerging as temperatures rise to begin their short yet impactful season of pollination. They prefer nesting in pre-made cavities, such as natural holes in wood or specialized bee houses, where they lay eggs and seal them with mud. Their simple, low-maintenance habitat requirements make them an excellent choice for gardeners looking to support local pollinators.

These bees are remarkably gentle, with no hive to defend, making them safe for families and pets. They are also incredibly effective, pollinating at a much higher rate than honeybees by collecting dry pollen on their bodies and transferring it as they move from bloom to bloom. Encouraging Mason Bees in your garden not only enhances fruit and vegetable production but also supports biodiversity by strengthening native bee populations. With their quiet efficiency and easy care, Orchard Mason Bees are an invaluable addition to any outdoor space.

Why Choose Spring Mason Bees?

Active During Spring (4-6 Weeks): These bees emerge at the perfect time to pollinate a variety of flowers and crops.
Superior Pollination Power: A single mason bee can accomplish the work of 100 honey bees, making them invaluable to your garden and local ecosystem.
Gentle & Beginner-Friendly: Non-aggressive and easy to raise, making them safe for families, pets, and new beekeepers.
Cold & Wet Weather Resilient: Unlike honey bees, mason bees remain active in cooler, rainy conditions, ensuring your plants get pollinated even in unpredictable spring weather.

How to Care for Your Mason Bees

To ensure your mason bees thrive, follow these simple care steps:
Timing is Key: Select a shipping date approximately two weeks before your plants bloom to ensure a food source is available when they emerge.
Provide Moist, Clay-Rich Soil: Mason bees use clay to build their nests. If your garden lacks clay-rich soil, consider ordering Spring Mason Bee Mud Mix.
Set Up the Right Nesting Materials: Use 8mm nesting tubes (avoid bamboo) and place them in a sunny, sheltered location near flowers.
Enjoy the Process: Watch your bees as they pollinate and lay eggs over their 4-6 week active period.
Shipping & Bee Health
Separate Shipping: To ensure the best conditions, mason bee cocoons are shipped separately from other products and are dispatched on Mondays (February–April) to prevent weekend delays.
Health Assurance: Bees are carefully harvested, cleaned, and inspected to minimize pests and disease risks. A small number may naturally not survive hibernation.
Clear Instructions Included: You'll receive detailed guidance on how to release and care for your bees upon arrival.

What’s Included?

20+ Mason Bee Cocoons: About 8 females and 12 males (a natural ratio).
Easy-to-Follow Release Instructions: To ensure the best start for your bees.
Important Notes
Clay is Essential: Female mason bees need clay to construct their nests. If your soil lacks it, be sure to order Spring Mason Bee Mud Mix.
Avoid Bamboo Tubes: Opt for proper 8mm nesting materials, as bamboo can be unsuitable and may harm the bees.

$34.95
ORCHARD MASON BEE SHIP DATES:
Next-day shipping available

Check Your Zone Compatibility:

Shipping Information

Ships from Northern CA.

Cannot ship to the following states: HI, AK, PR, GU, VI

Shipping Weight: 0.02 lb

Features

    Characteristics

    Application Season : Spring
    Application Season : Summer
    Application Season : Winter

    Use Instructions

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