Mason Bees

In the garden, our flowering shrubs are just starting to show signs of spring. To aid in pollination (and aid native pollinators in general), we have some new guests at the Tree House.

Photo two: Mason Bee house with box of cocoons taped underneath. 

Blue Orchard Mason Bees are native to both Eastern and Western US. They aresuper  efficient pollinators (moreso than honey bees) and do not sting.

I put up this mason bee nest box a fee weeks ago, and yesterday I got a tiny box of live bee cocoons! See first photo.

The bees remain asleep in their cocoons until a few more weeks when the weather warms enough for them to fly. Then they are active gathering pollen and building nests in the box provided. By June, they are done for the year, when the adults die and the next generation rests in the nest until the following spring.

It's all part of our commitment to proving habitat for wildlife here in our yard. I hope they enjoy it here!