The Process

Nesting material

Phragmite reeds cut into sections and assembled into groups for nesting material.
Notice the natural partitions in each reed. This helps keep other insects out yet lets air flow through the reed.
6″-7″ reeds ready for nest assembly.

Mason bees at work

Mason bee at work filling a nesting tube.
Many bees hard at work. Nests are nearly full.
Filled reeds. Notice the different methods of filling. Osmia lignaria and Osmia Californica.

Harvesting cocoons

Osmia lignaria inside a reed.
Osmia lignaria inside a reed.
Female Osmia lignaria ready for storage.
Group of male and female Osmia lignaria.
Single male and female Osmia lignaria.

Important

Our bees are produced in Utah and Idaho with the use of phragmite reeds as nesting material. Using new reeds every year helps reduce the percentage of parasites or disease that can be found on mason bee cocoons. We further inspect every cocoon to ensure you are getting A+ quality. We package our bees at a ratio of 1 female to 1.5 males to promote the best possible pollination and population growth.

Cocoons will be shipped priority mail. Prices subject to change.

We typically ship bee cocoons between November and early April. A few bees occasionally start hatching during shipment anytime after March 1st when temps get warmer. Order at your own risk as we have no control over temperatures and shipping.

MOUNTAIN WEST MASON BEES