- Mason Bees Are Solitary: Each female lays her own eggs, builds her nest, and gathers food. No hive, no queen, no honey—this makes them non-aggressive and they do not sting.
- They Hibernate in Cocoons: Like butterflies, mason bees spin cocoons in summer and sleep through winter, emerging in early spring. Watch how they emerge
- Incredible Pollinators! Fuzzy hairs on their body, called scopa, collects loose pollen, enabling them to pollinate 95% of blooms they touch and they can visit over 2,000 blossoms a day!
- BEE AMAZED! Watch & Learn: See the full mason bee life cycle and predators that harm them in this BEE AMAZED video filmed with macro lens.
SPRING: Steps for a Healthy Habitat
- Place NEW nesting material out at the beginning of Spring – Mason bee houses are not year-round homes! Replace with new or cleaned nesting material at the start of spring to ensure a healthy environment.
- Use Easy-to-Open Nesting Materials – Avoid bamboo & drilled logs, they get moldy and cannot be opened. Instead, use stacking trays or cardboard tubes.
- Provide Food Sources – Plant early-blooming flowers and keep dandelions—bees' first food! Don't use chemicals or sprays. Learn what to plant in your yard with these beautiful GARDEN CARDS.
- Hang on Flat Surface – Hang your bee house on a fence or wall, not on trees.
- Sunlight Matters – Pick a sunny location with morning to afternoon sun.
- Height Guide – Mount 5–6 feet off the ground.
- Mud is Essential – Provide clean, chemical-free mud for nesting 5-10 feet from bee house.
SUMMER: Remove in Early Summer!
- Mason bees only live 6–8 weeks—they do not stay year-round.
- Leaving nests out over summer attracts predators, like mono wasps, that destroy developing larvae.
- Store nests in a cool garage or shed until fall/winter. Watch summer storage video
FALL/WINTER: Open & Clean Nesting Blocks and Bee Cocoons
To protect your bees, HARVEST AND CLEAN COCOONS. This removes deadly threats like POLLEN MITES, HOUDINI FLY LARVAE, MONO WASPS, AND CHALKBROOD. Watch step-by-step video to clean your own bees.
Want Pollination Without the Hassle of Cleaning? Many enjoy raising and cleaning their own mason bees, and we offer step-by-step videos on our YouTube channel to guide you. If you love the benefits of pollination but prefer a hands-off approach, simply release bees and rent nesting blocks where fall and winter care is handled for you. If you rent our bees, this is how we clean over 3 million a year. Mind blowing video!
By following these simple steps, you'll create a healthy, thriving habitat for mason bees while supporting pollination in your garden.
About Rent Mason Bees
Rent Mason Bees is the largest provider of solitary bees in the U.S., dedicated to supporting pollinator health. We collaborate with researchers to study threats to solitary bees and share best practices for their care. Our bee kits and supplies make it easy for gardeners and farmers to host mason bees, enhancing pollination and sustainability. Learn more at our website. www.RentMasonBees.com
SOURCE Rent Mason Bees
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