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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Spring Mason Bees

Summer Leaf Bees

Wild Bees

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Summer Leaf Bee Shipping & Timing

Summer Leaf bees hibernate as delicate larvae inside their leafy cocoons. The development of Summer Leaf bees from larvae to adults is temperature dependent. For this reason, we begin the incubation process for you, so your Summer Leaf bee cocoons arrive ready to emerge.

Summer Leaf bees cannot be stored in the refrigerator like Mason bees. When placing your order, choose a shipping date that closely aligns with your garden’s summer blooms and consistent daytime temperatures of at least 75°F / 24°C.

We know predicting summer temperatures can be challenging, especially with today’s increasingly unpredictable weather. To give you flexibility, you can adjust your Bee Ship Date up to seven days before your scheduled ship date by changing the date your bees leave the warehouse from our Help Center.

To estimate when temperatures in your area typically reach the mid-70s, try searching “average monthly temperatures + your city.” These are averages, not guarantees, but they provide a helpful planning reference.

We also recommend marking your calendar with your selected Monday bee ship date after placing your order.

When can I place my Summer Leaf bee order?

Anytime.

When you purchase Summer Leaf bees, our system will prompt you to choose a Monday bee ship date during the active flight season.

If you order one of our Complete Kits with Bees, the hard goods ship right away, and the bees ship separately on your selected Monday ship date.

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When do you ship Summer Leaf bee cocoons?

For the health of the bees, we only ship Summer Leaf bees on Mondays so they don’t become delayed in transit over the weekend.

Our Summer Leaf bee season typically runs from May through August.

How do you ship Summer Leaf bee cocoons?

All Summer Leaf bee cocoons ship free via FedEx 2Day within the United States or via Canada Post in Canada.

At this time, we are only able to ship Summer Leaf bees to the United States and Canada.

Be sure to read our Summer Leaf Bees by Mail Instructions before your bees arrive so you know what to expect.

We average a 99% success rate in delivering healthy bees. However, extreme temperatures or unexpected shipping delays may affect transit.

If your bees emerge during transit, place the unopened package in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before opening. This calms the bees and prevents accidental release. Follow the package instructions to release them.
If your bees have not emerged yet, be patient. Emergence typically occurs within 1–10 days at around 80°F. Cooler temperatures may delay emergence.
If your package arrives and your bees are DOA, please submit an online support ticket, and we will happily replace them.

Important: Summer Leaf bees cannot be stored in the refrigerator for long periods. Do not exceed 30 minutes.

Can I purchase products and Summer Leaf bees in the same order?

Yes! Hard goods ship immediately after placing your order, and your Summer Leaf bees ship separately on your selected Monday bee ship date.