Mason Bees are often referred to as solitary
bees because they do not have a social order like honey bees and
bumble bees. They do not have a queen or a hive and they do not
make honey. However, they are perfectly happy making a nest right
next to each other. Mason Bees are such effective pollinators because
they have a lot of hair on their body which picks up pollen. Unlike
honeybees which clean themselves after each visit to a flower and
store the pollen in sacs to carry back to the colony, the Mason
Bees carry all of their pollen from flower to flower. Mason Bees
tend not to sting because they are not a social bee and do not
have a hive or a queen to protect. The only way to get one to sting
is to squeeze it, and even then it probably won’t sting.
Mason Bees will be active in colder temperatures than honey bees
which makes them very effective in orchards pollinating fruit trees.
Fortunately Mason Bees are not susceptible to the Varroa mite which
has caused such havoc with honey bees all over North America.
To order the Mason Bee "Pollinating Pals" Nesting Kit please see Habitats under the Products section. |
