Every spring, thousands of gardeners, orchardists, and farmers raise Mason bees that help pollinate fruit trees, berries, and blooming landscapes. By fall, those bees have created the next generation—tiny cocoons tucked safely inside nesting materials. Many of you end up with more cocoons than you can release the following season, and that’s where our Bee Buy Back program comes in.
Why We Buy Your Cocoons
Our goal is simple: to keep healthy, region-specific bees working where needed most. When you send your extra Mason bee cocoons to us, you’re helping expand natural pollination across the USA. Instead of staying dormant in storage or being released where they may not thrive, these bees pollinate orchards, community farms, and organic fields that rely on native pollinators.
We compensate participants with a Crown Bees gift certificate or a check. The real payoff is in the ripple effect: every cocoon contributes to stronger local food systems and healthier ecosystems. Many participants donate cocoons outright, allowing us to share them with nonprofit partners and educational programs.
Where Your Cocoons Go
When cocoons arrive at our HQ in Woodinville, Washington (north of Seattle), our team carefully inspects, cleans, and sorts them by region. They’re stored in climate-controlled coolers through winter, grouped from where they were sent. This ensures that when spring comes, the bees are distributed to customers within their native climate zone—giving them the best chance to thrive.
From there, the bees are paired with gardeners and growers who need them most. Each helps pollinate orchards and backyard gardens, strengthening local harvests and biodiversity.
How You Can Take Part
Participating is simple: after harvesting your Mason bee cocoons in the fall, keep what you need for next season; about one cocoon per nesting cavity, plus a few extras. Send the rest to us by following the instructions on our Bee Buy Back page. We accept up to 10,000 cocoons per household and welcome donations beyond that amount for community and nonprofit programs.