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Community Corner

Mason Bees: Gentle Pollinators Are Just Arriving

The emergence of these native bees has been delayed by the weather, but they are finally coming out to pollinate our gardens.

EVEN WITH a late spring, nature knows how to adjust. The mason bee, a gentle native bee, is finally coming out to pollinate our yard. This solitary bee only appears when the temperatures are in the mid-50’s, and dies after only flying for about six weeks. That’s right; this is only a spring bee. But in the time it’s alive, it manages to pollinate apples, cherries, pears, kiwis, dandelions, or any other flowering plant. 

In normal springs, they emerge from their cocoons in late March. However, with this record-setting cool April, their pollinating activities had them stay in their hibernating cocoons another six weeks. To many beginning gardeners, the blue orchard bee (one of many mason bees) looks like a big fly. Upon closer examination, you find long antennas, beautiful eyes, and hairy bodies; perfect for carrying pollen.

The mason bees don’t create honey! Rather, they are one of the best pollinators in your spring yard. The honey bee and bumble bee are extremely efficient pollen gatherers letting little pollen fall off their bodies. The mason bee, on the other hand, carries the pollen in the hairs of her body resulting in nearly every flower she lands on becoming pollinated. Each female can pollinate roughly 2,000 flowers a day.

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How gentle are they? Because they are solitary and don’t live in hives, they have nothing to defend. Gardeners are able to hold them in their hands, get close up to their nesting holes, and can learn much about these busy bees from up close and personal observation. They may sting in life threatening situations, but their venom is less than a mosquito bite. It’s very tough to get stung which makes these bees a wonderful garden companion.

As the honey bee is facing severe worldwide challenges, these local bees aren’t. You can purchase these bees (full disclosure, Crown Bee sells mason bees), and put up bee houses to encourage these pollinators to stay in your yard.

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