Crown Bees was one of the first companies that I came across when I "got into" raising these local lovelies! I highly recommend their products for being great quality. They are a little pricey, but I think you get what you pay for. Also, Crown Bees offers all kinds of educational videos and presentations, they send out a very informative (but not over the top) newsletter with tips and tricks, and they are clearly trying hard to promote active care for these great bees! I wanted to raise my own hive of honey bees but I discovered that I just didn't have the time. Focusing my efforts on Mason bees and other native pollinators has required far less time but has been NO LESS educational or enjoyable. It's a real treat when a child comes over and gets to have one fly out to land on an arm or hand. Magical! If you, too, are a backyard naturalist, you absolutely NEED to raise local pollinators. And Crown Bees is a great source for products, bees, and information. I truly appreciate their support of these magnificent garden characters!