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.

This store requires javascript to be enabled for some features to work correctly.

Shop

Mason Bees

Summer Leaf Bees

Wild Bees

Garden Prep

About

Wild Bee Education at Hatcheries and Watershed Spaces

Healthy ecosystems connect land, water, wildlife, and people. At places like FISH (Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery), salmon, wild bees, native plants, and healthy waters all depend on the same thing—thriving, connected habitats.

While salmon rely on clean, shaded streams, wild bees support the native plants that protect those waterways. Pollinators help stabilize riverbanks, improve water filtration, and support the vegetation that shelters salmon eggs and young fish. When wild bees thrive, salmon habitat becomes stronger too—showing how what happens on land affects life in the water.

Discover Wild Bees Here

Wild bees don’t make honey or live in hives. They don’t have a queen to protect and rarely sting. Instead, they are peaceful neighbors—easy to observe, safe around families and trails, and fascinating to watch as they belly flop from flower to flower.

There are more than 4,000 bee species in the United States. Most live alone in hollow stems, soil tunnels, and purpose-built bee houses like this one.

Raising Wild Bees Is Easier Than You Think

You don’t need honey, hives, or protective gear to help pollinators. Most wild bees are solitary, gentle, and easy to support with just a bee house, natural nesting tubes, flowers, and chemical-free spaces.

This makes them perfect for watershed programs, outdoor classrooms, restoration sites, and family nature projects.

Fun fact: One Mason bee can pollinate as many flowers as 100 honey bees!

How to Get Started Today

Why Wild Bees Matter

They support restoration. Wild bees help native plants establish, stabilize soil, and rebuild healthy riparian habitat.

They pollinate efficiently. Many wild bees carry pollen on their bellies and deliver it directly where flowers need it—a near-perfect transfer.

They help protect watersheds. Healthy plant life filters runoff, prevents erosion, and shades salmon streams.

Wild bees are active for only a few weeks each year. The rest of the time, they grow as larvae, form cocoons, develop into adults, and hibernate until spring or summer.

Here’s a look at the Mason bee lifecycle:

You Can Help!

You don’t need a large space to make an impact. Even a small garden or native planting can support healthy ecosystems that benefit both pollinators and salmon.

Plant native flowers that bloom across the seasons.
Leave natural nesting areas like stems, grasses, and leaf litter.
Avoid pesticides and herbicides that harm bees and water systems.
Use openable nesting materials to safely support bee health year after year.
See which bees live near you: Where the Wild Bees Are

About FISH (Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery)

FISH (Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery) is a Pacific Northwest nonprofit dedicated to protecting salmon, watersheds, wildlife, and the ecosystems that connect them. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, FISH helps ensure healthy salmon runs for future generations.

Salmon, wild bees, native plants, and clean water are all connected. By supporting habitat restoration and pollinator-friendly practices, FISH and its partners help create stronger ecosystems for both salmon in the streams and pollinators on land.

Support Wild Bees with Purpose-Built Habitats

Bee houses provide long-term habitat for wild pollinators and allow schools, parks, and restoration groups to observe, learn, and participate in conservation.

Rewild Refuge Bee House

A durable habitat for parks, nature centers, and watershed projects—designed for visibility, learning, and long-term stewardship. Shop Rewild Refuge here.

DIY Build a Bee House

Perfect for youth programs, volunteer groups, and family projects. Build, place, and observe wild bees where you live. Shop DIY Bee House here.

Check Out All Bee Houses

Learn with Our Programs & Partners

Planet Bee Foundation — Inspiring students with pollinator education and habitat building.
Mason Bee Edu — Bee biology, identification, and student-led research programs.
Crown Bees iNaturalist Project — Join citizen scientists tracking wild pollinators nationwide.

About Crown Bees: Based in Washington state, Crown Bees partners with parks, hatcheries, schools, and conservation groups to raise awareness and provide science-based tools for supporting wild, cavity-nesting bees. We’re buzzing to be collaborating on this pollinator project.

We’re Here to Help You BEE Successful

Getting Started Guide
BeeMail Newsletter
If you have direct questions, email info@crownbees.com