Why Crown Bees
Crown Bees is a small company and one of the trailblazers of the solitary bee industry. We guarantee quality Mason and Summer Leaf bees, responsive customer support, and research-based resources to help you succeed.
This page explains what to look for before buying Mason or Summer Leaf bees, how bee safety affects pollinator health, and why sourcing practices matter.
Crown Bees BeeSafe™ Nesting Design Standard
Our science-based framework for safer cavity-nesting bee habitat. Bee housing designed for health, not just garden décor.
- Sealed at one end so pests can’t sneak in through the back
- Breathable materials that dry out after rainstorms
- Easy to open so you can harvest cocoons and reduce pests and disease
- Bee-sized tunnels and length for healthy nesting success
- Replaceable or cleanable nesting so problems don’t build up year after year
Learn what to avoid in mass-made “bee hotels”: Harmful Nesting Materials.
Why the name “Crown Bees”? Mason and Summer Leaf bees are solitary bees. That means every female you see nesting is doing the work of a queen: building a nest, provisioning food, and creating the next generation. Because of the important cross-pollinating work they provide, we believe they deserve a crown.
As interest in solitary bees has grown, so has the number of sellers offering bees and supplies without fully understanding proper care. Poor practices or poorly designed bee houses can do more harm than good.
In the short term, poor practices can lead to:
- Empty nesting materials
- Unhealthy bees
- Bees not adapted to their local region
- The spread of pests and disease
In the long term, these practices undermine trust in solitary bees as effective farm and garden pollinators and threaten healthy populations.
Orchard Bee Association certified bees
Our Mason bees are certified by the Orchard Bee Association (OBA), a coalition of independent businesses, farmers, and USDA-ARS scientists. The OBA Sustainable Orchard Bee Certification Program sets strict standards that protect managed bees while conserving wild populations.
Loose-cocoon management
We practice loose-cocoon management so each cocoon can be inspected and treated. Bees sold in unopened reeds or blocks cannot be evaluated, increasing the risk of pests, disease, and empty nesting materials.
Without opening nesting materials, there’s no way to know what’s inside. Loose cocoons protect both your bees and future generations.
Every cocoon is individually cleaned in Woodinville using our CleanBee™ solution, designed to target chalkbrood without damaging beneficial microbes.
Region-specific sourcing
We source and sort cocoons by region, so the bees fit your backyard climate. Cocoons are overwintered in temperature-controlled storage to protect energy reserves and prevent premature emergence.
DIY harvesters receive ongoing guidance through monthly BeeMail reminders.
Research-driven bee-raising
We collaborate with researchers, universities, nonprofits, and agencies to stay informed and put the best science into practice.
- USDA partnership for InvitaBee™ Plus+ Mason Bee Attractant
- Support for the Bee Friendly Farming GARDEN program
- Members of the US National Native Bee Monitoring RCN
- Support for The Bee Conservancy’s Sponsor-a-Hive program
- Ongoing chalkbrood research with university partners
Education and community support
We support bee raisers, educators, and communities through free resources and hands-on learning opportunities.
- How to Raise Bees Library
- Help Center
- Bi-monthly seasonal guidance via BeeMail
- Community Garden Pollination Program
- Bee Buddies Pollinator Program for classrooms and youth programs
- Educational collaboration with the Planet Bee Foundation
- Founded by Dave Hunter, author of Mason Bee Revolution, 2nd Edition
We care about the health of bees and your success!