Mason bees are gentle, solitary bees that are highly effective pollinators for fruit trees and gardens. Unlike honey bees, they do not live in hives or make honey.

Are mason bees better pollinators than honey bees?

For home gardens and orchards, mason bees are often far more efficient than honey bees because they carry pollen loosely on their bodies and pollinate more flowers per visit.

Mason bees are gentle bees and rarely sting. Because they do not defend a hive, stings are extremely uncommon.

Are mason bees safe around kids and pets?

Yes. Mason bees are calm, non-aggressive, and widely considered safe around children and pets.

What plants do mason bees pollinate best?

Mason bees excel at pollinating apples, cherries, pears, plums, blueberries, and other early-blooming plants.

When should I buy mason bees?

Mason bees should be purchased before early spring bloom in your region to ensure proper timing and availability.

Is it hard to raise mason bees?

No. Mason bees are easy to raise and require very little time, equipment, or ongoing maintenance.

Do mason bees come back every year?

Yes. With proper nesting and basic care, mason bees can reproduce and return year after year.

Do I need to buy mason bees every year?

Not necessarily. Many gardeners develop a self-sustaining population over time.

Can mason bees damage my house?

No. Mason bees do not chew wood or damage structures. They only nest in pre-made tunnels.

Are mason bees good for small or urban gardens?

Yes. Mason bees thrive in small spaces and are ideal for urban and backyard gardens.

Why buy mason bees from Crown Bees?

Crown Bees provides region-specific bees, responsibly designed nesting systems, and expert educational support.

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About

The Story Behind Our Recycled Plastic Cocoon Comb

Our Cocoon Comb is made from 100% post-consumer plastic recovered from marine gear and shoreline cleanups, then remade into durable pellets for new products.

Photo: Brown Cocoon Combs nestled in recycled plastic pellets from Legacy Plastic.

Injection molding allows us to create a durable, reusable tool using recycled plastic instead of virgin material, keeping waste in the circular economy.

The Story Behind the Plastic

Each Cocoon Comb is made with Legacy Plastic, a high-grade 100% post-consumer plastic recovered from marine environments.

Photo Gallery

Brown Cocoon Comb: Fishing Gear Recycled

Brown Cocoon Combs are made from end-of-life fishing nets and ropes collected by Net Your Problem.

The gear used for our brown combs came from the F/V Pinnacle, captained by Mark Casto. Recycling fishing gear helps prevent durable plastics from entering landfills or the ocean.

Green Cocoon Comb: Shoreline Cleanups

Green combs are made from plastic collected during shoreline and aquaculture cleanups led by Ocean Legacy.

Ocean Legacy operates plastic depots across British Columbia to divert marine plastics back into the circular economy.

Made in Everett, Washington

Our Cocoon Combs are manufactured in Everett, WA by SEA-LECT Plastics. Their sister company, SEA-DOG Line, helped transfer tooling and work with recycled pellets for this low-volume project.

Why This Collaboration Matters

From ocean stewards to shoreline cleanup crews, this project represents collaboration across land and sea. We’re proud to work with partners who help protect ecosystems while supporting pollinators.

Photo: It took the collaboration of Net Your Problem, Ocean Legacy, SEA-LECT Plastics, and shoreline clean-up crews to make our Cocoon Combs.