How to Keep Mason Bees
Gardeners understand the critical importance of pollinators to our food and ornamental crops–we’d be in big trouble without them. Keeping mason bees is just one thing you can do to nurture pollinators in your little part of the world. Don’t let the word “bee” scare you. These are non-aggressive, non-stinging bees that will want nothing to do with you but everything to do with the pollen-laden flowers in your garden.
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Mason bees are native, non-stinging bees that are common throughout most of the US. There are about 140 species in North America and 200 species worldwide.
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Mason bees are non-social, solitary bees that do not form colonies. Every hole in a mason bee hive represents a different nest. The bees do not share nests.
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Mason bees live for only 8-10 weeks in spring, then the males die off and the females lay eggs that will hatch the following spring.
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Mason bees are super efficient pollinators. They can pollinate up to 20 times more flowers per day than honey bees.
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It takes just 2-3 mason bees to pollinate an entire mature apple tree.
• Best Bee-Keeping Practices •
Set mason bee hives out in mid to late March before nesting begins. Mount the hive securely in a place that is protected from rain and wind and is at least 3 feet off the ground. A South-facing wall near the garden is ideal.
Purchase a ready-made mason bee hive or make your own using a block of wood drilled with 5/16” diameter holes that are 4-6” deep. Using narrower, shallower holes will result in more male bees which cannot lay eggs. Use a new hive each year to prevent disease of the hive.
Be sure to provide open ground nearby where bees can collect mud to bring back to the hive.
Grow plenty of pollen-producing plants in your garden nearby where the bees can feed.
Be on guard for robins, crows, starlings, woodpeckers and squirrels who love to eat the eggs of mason bees.
Once nesting season is over, gently move the hive to a protected location in a garage or shed away from predators. The bees will hibernate there through the winter. They are well-adapted to survive cold winters. Then bring the hive back outside in spring.
