Products

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We've developed a range of products that will make raising native bees fun, easy and economical:

  • Two styles of new Plan Bee Houses, each of which can easily pollinate one acre of garden;
  • Starter colonies of native bee cocoons (shipped only November thru March until supplies run out);
  • Pre-assembled replacement outer Protector Tube/inner Nesting Straw Combos;
  • Replacement Inner Nesting Straws
  • Our one-of-a-kind Antique Native Bee Houses, transformed from wooden artifacts into gorgeous yard ornament nesting sites.

If you live in northern Virginia and would like to save shipping costs, please go to 'Where to Buy' to see a list of retailers who currently sell our Plan Bee Houses, or Contact us directly.

Interested in selling our Plan Bee Houses in your store?  Please let us know and we'd be very happy to discuss it with you!

The Plan Bee House

You will not find a better Native Bee house anywhere!

Our Native Bee houses are the result of extensive research into exactly what Orchard Mason and Leafcutter Bees need to be happy, healthy and highly productive in your orchard or garden - exceeding USDA specifications.

It took two years of building and testing before we created our Plan Bee House for wood-dwelling solitary bees.  We think you'll agree that it's a perfect blend of healthy habitat, ease of use, and beautiful aesthetics.

Where to Buy

Our online store is just a click away, providing Plan Bee Houses, bee cocoons (seasonal) and bee house supplies, as well as our gorgeous antique native bee house yard ornaments, all ready to be shipped to your home or business.  Check it out!  

Or, if you live in the northern Virginia area and want to save on shipping, send us an email, or visit these retail establishments who sell our Better Bee Houses:

Antique Bee Houses

I'll bet you've never seen Native Bee houses like these before!  Denise loves to find antique wooden artifacts at flea markets and garage sales, and is the first to imagine them as homes for Native Bees.  Add the woodcrafting skills of Jim Murphy, and these one-of-a-kind pieces become stunning yard ornaments.  Recycling at its best!  The bottoms are protected to prevent rotting, and metal stabilizing bars are included with the taller pieces.  All nesting holes come pre-filled with both outer protective tubes and inner nesting straws. 

Bee Cocoons (Seasonal)

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!

 

Bee House Supplies

The most important thing you can do for your bees is to maintain healthy nesting sites by keeping their environment clean and parasite-free.  Both our outer Protector Tubes and inner Nesting Straws are custom manufactured to meet our specific requirements:

Our outer Protector Tubes are made of heavy cardboard that is just thick enough to prevent predator wasps - the Darth Vader's of the wild bee world - from inserting their ovipositors and laying their eggs in with the bee larvae (then eating 'em up). These outer Protector Tubes are reusable and will last for many years if they are kept relatively dry. 

Our inner Nesting Straws are definitely not just drinking straws!  They are custom manufactured with a 5/16" diameter, which has been proven to be preferred by Mason Bees and allows for the development of large, healthy offspring.  The inner surface of the nesting straws is slightly rough to help the mud adhere, and the outside is lightly coated to be moisture-resistant, but breathable, to help keep the bees dry during rainy spring weather.  The inner Nesting Straws are the only items that must be replaced each year, since they become soiled as the bee larvae develop to maturity.  The good news is, they're also very inexpensive!   Store