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

World Bee Day Bioblitz

Just one week. Everything living that you see. Every picture helps researchers, conservationists, and educators.

You Never Know What You'll Find

In the middle of San Francisco, a naturalist lifted a piece of woody debris near a pond and found a species of leech that had never before been recorded on iNaturalist. Meet the Golden Gate Leech. You never know what's living right outside your door until you start looking.

From Sunday, May 17 through Saturday, May 23, 2026, we're inviting you to get outside and photograph what you find on iNaturalist.

Every Picture Matters

Bees are our focus, but anything living you find outside counts. Birds, beetles, butterflies, and plants in bloom. If it's living and you can photograph it, post it.

Not sure what you're looking at? Post it anyway. The iNaturalist community will help with identification.

Your photo can feed into our Where the Wild Bees Are tool, where you can type in a US city/state and discover which bees have been documented in your area and when they're active. Your photo becomes a data point your neighbor may use in three years to figure out what's nesting in their yard. Not every bee species appears in Crown Bees' Where the Wild Bees Are search tool, but every picture still matters.

What to Do

Get outside between May 17 and May 23 this year.
Take a clear photo of whatever you find.
Post it to iNaturalist from the free app or their website.

New to iNaturalist? Download the free app or use the website. It takes less than two minutes to set up an account.

FAQ

Do I need to be an expert?

Nope! This is open to everyone, from backyard gardeners to experienced community scientists.

Do I need any equipment?

Your phone camera is plenty. Close-up photos do help, but don't disturb the bee to get a better shot.

Do my observations have to be in my yard?

No. Parks, roadsides, trails, schoolyards, community gardens, anywhere counts.

What if I'm not sure it's a bee?

Take a photo and post it anyway. The iNaturalist community will help identify it, and non-bee observations are still useful data.

What happens to my uploaded photos?

They're yours. iNaturalist uses a Creative Commons license by default, which you can change in your account settings. Observations flow into open scientific databases.

Is there a cost?

No. iNaturalist and participation are free.