New to mason bees? Visit our Mason Bee FAQ to learn everything you need to get started.
Spring Mason Bees
OBA-Certified, Region-Specific & Pest-Free
For the health of the bees, we only ship bee cocoons on Mondays (February - April) to ensure they do not get stuck in transit over the weekend. We recommend you choose which Monday your cocoons leave our warehouse with FedEx 2Day FREE Shipping to align with the week your spring garden begins to bloom and gets consistent daytime temps of at least 55°F/13°C.
Spring Mason Bees are perfect for pollinating fruit trees, nut trees, berries, and spring-blooming flowers. These remarkable bees are super pollinators, visiting thousands of flowers per day and offering an impressive 99% pollination rate, which means a healthier, more productive garden.
Why Spring Mason Bees?
- Active for 4-6 weeks: These bees are active during the spring, giving them a significant window to pollinate a wide variety of flowers and crops.
- Superior Pollinators: A single Mason bee can do the work of 100 Honey bees, providing invaluable assistance to your garden and local ecosystem.
- Gentle & Easy to Raise: Spring Mason Bees are known for being incredibly gentle and non-aggressive, making them safe for families, pets, and anyone new to beekeeping.
- Adapted to Cold and Wet Conditions: Mason bees are active even when it's cooler or rainy, unlike Honey bees, ensuring your garden gets pollinated even in less-than-ideal weather.
How to Care for Your Mason Bees
Once your Mason bee cocoons arrive, it's essential to provide the right conditions to help them thrive:
- Pollination Needs: Mason bees need pollen to survive. Be sure to select a shipping date that's approximately two weeks before your spring plants bloom to ensure your bees have a food source when they emerge.
- Moisture and Clay: These bees are clay-using, so make sure to have a reliable source of clay-rich, moist soil nearby. If you don't have it, be sure to order Spring Mason Bee Mud Mix.
- Provide Proper Habitats: Set up 8mm nesting materials (be sure to avoid bamboo), and ensure the nesting habitat is in a safe, sunny location near flowers.
- Observe & Enjoy: Watch your bees forage and nest. They typically spend 4-6 weeks working hard to pollinate and lay eggs in the nesting materials.
Shipping & Bee Health
- Free FedEx 2-Day Mail: Ensuring your Mason bees and kit arrive quickly and safely.
- Separate Shipping: For the health and safety of the bees, all Mason bee cocoons ship separately from other products and are dispatched on Mondays (February to April) to ensure they don't sit in transit over the weekend.
- Health Checks: We harvest, clean, and check all cocoons to help prevent disease and reduce the risk of pests and infections. However, it's natural for a small number of bees to die during hibernation.
- Shipping Instructions: You'll receive detailed instructions on how to release and care for your mason bees once they arrive.
Specifications
- 40+ Mason bee cocoons: Includes about 16 female and 24 male cocoons (this is the natural ratio of males to females).
- Release Instructions: Included to give your mason bees the best start.
Important Notes
- Mason Bees Are Clay-Dependent: Female mason bees require a reliable source of clay to construct their nest walls. If your soil isn't clay-rich, order Spring Mason Bee Mud Mix.
- Avoid Bamboo Nesting Materials: Mason bees prefer 8mm nesting materials, and bamboo's structure can risk harming bees, making it a poor choice.
- BeeMail Subscription: We encourage you to sign up for BeeMail for expert guidance, seasonal reminders, and tips for success raising mason bees.
Order Spring Mason Bees today and enjoy the many benefits of these amazing, gentle pollinators in your garden!