Bee Cocoons (Seasonal)

Store

We've heard from many of you who are anxious to purchase bee cocoons this coming winter. If you'd like to reserve some bees, please send us an email stating how many packages of (20) bees you think you'll need, and we'll add you to our list. You'll be the first people we contact when we're ready to start shipping them out in November, 2010!

We are one of very few suppliers of Orchard Mason Bees on the east coast. Our bees are well-acclimated to any destination east of the Rocky Mountains, and we will only sell to people in those states. Eastern OMBs (Osmia lignaria lignaria) prefer the higher humidity found in the east. The cocoons were harvested last September, removed from their nesting straws, cleaned, sorted, and stored over the winter at 40 degrees to maintain their hibernating state.

We recommend a starter colony package of (20) bees for our Plan Bee Houses, or for any bee house that has (75) holes or fewer. We try to include about (8) females and (12) males in each package in order to replicate the ratio that is found in nature, and always add a few extra to compensate for the 10% that often don't hatch.

Our Native Bee cocoons are shipped in small boxes that are made from 100% recycled cardboard, are FSC/SFI Certified Box Fibers, and use water-based inks -- so please recycle them!

We are offering packages of (20) dormant bees for $30, which includes all shipping and handling fees. Place your order at our online store!

Wondering if those are bees or flies on your flowers?

Sometimes it's hard to tell whether the insects you're seeing on your blooms are bees, wasps or flies. One quick way to tell the difference is that bees and wasps at rest fold their wings close to their bodies, while flies hold theirs in a V-shape, like a stealth bomber. Also, bees and wasps have two sets of wings (flies have one); and bees and wasps have antennae (flies - nope.)

Your bees will love you for it!

Invite pollinators to your 'hood by choosing the plants they love! Pollinator Partnership makes it so easy by listing the best plants for your area by zip code. Just one click on this title will take you there. . .