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Spring Mason Bees
BeeSafe™ Standard, Region-Specific & OBA-Certified
For spring gardeners with fruit trees, berries, and early flowers who want gentle Mason bees for pollination. For the health of the bees, we only ship cocoons on Mondays, February through April, so they never get stuck in transit over the weekend. We ship to the lower 48 states and Alaska. Choose the Monday your cocoons leave our warehouse with free FedEx 2Day shipping, timed to the week your spring garden begins to bloom and daytime temperatures hold at 55°F/13°C or warmer.
Spring Mason bees are perfect for pollinating fruit trees, nut trees, berries, and spring-blooming flowers. These remarkable bees are super pollinators, visiting thousands of flowers a day and pollinating nearly every flower they visit, for a healthier, more productive garden.
Why Spring Mason Bees?
- Active for 4 to 6 weeks: Mason bees are active in spring, giving them a solid window to pollinate a wide variety of flowers and crops.
- Superior Pollinators: A single Mason bee can do the pollination work of 60 to 100 honey bees, a big help to your garden and local ecosystem.
- Gentle & Easy to Raise: Mason bees are gentle and non-aggressive. They're safe around kids and pets, and easy for anyone new to raising bees.
- Adapted to Cold and Wet Conditions: Unlike honey bees, Mason bees fly on cool and rainy days, so your garden gets pollinated even in less-than-ideal weather.
How to Care for Your Mason Bees
Once your Mason bee cocoons arrive, give them the right conditions to thrive:
- Pollination Needs: Mason bees need pollen to survive. Select a ship date about two weeks before your spring plants bloom so your bees have food when they emerge.
- Moisture and Clay: Mason bees build their nests with clay, so make sure there's a reliable source of moist, clay-rich soil nearby. If you don't have it, order Spring Mason Bee Mud Mix.
- Provide Proper Habitats: Set up 8mm BeeSafe™ nesting materials (avoid bamboo) in a safe, sunny spot near flowers.
- Observe & Enjoy: Watch your bees forage and nest. They spend 4 to 6 weeks pollinating and laying eggs in the nesting materials.
Shipping & Bee Health
- Free FedEx 2Day Shipping: Your Mason bees arrive quickly and safely.
- Separate Shipping: For the health and safety of the bees, Mason bee cocoons ship separately from other products, on Mondays from February through April, so they don't sit in transit over the weekend.
- Health Checks: Following BeeSafe™ Seasonal Care, we harvest, clean, and inspect every cocoon to help prevent disease and reduce pests. Even so, it's natural for a small number of bees not to survive hibernation.
- Shipping Instructions: You'll receive detailed instructions on how to release and care for your Mason bees when they arrive.
Specifications
- 40+ Mason bee cocoons: About 16 female and 24 male cocoons, the natural ratio of males to females.
- Release Instructions: Included to give your Mason bees the best start.
Important Notes
- Mason Bees Need Clay: Female Mason bees need a reliable source of clay to build their nest walls. If your soil isn't clay-rich, order Spring Mason Bee Mud Mix.
- Avoid Bamboo Nesting Materials: Mason bees need 8mm nesting materials that open for cocoon harvest. Bamboo can't be opened safely and can harm bees, making it a poor choice.
- BeeMail Subscription: Sign up for BeeMail for expert guidance, seasonal reminders, and tips for raising Mason bees.
Order Spring Mason Bees today and enjoy these amazing, gentle pollinators in your garden!