Standard Mason Bee Nest Kit (52 Tubes)

STANDARD MASON KIT: 52 nest tubes, 3" diameter x 6 1/2" long

Take the Sting Out of Bee Keeping with this 52 tube biodegradable bee nest kit (bees not included).

Native Orchard Mason Bees are widespread throughout North America. They are superb early season pollinators of fruit trees, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries-and better than honeybees, because the Masons' active in colder temperatures and their hairy bodies carry more of the pollen that fertilizes your blossoms. Each female Orchard Bee makes her own nest in a series of tubes, sealed with mud. They are useful, small and docile-and they hardly ever sting unless severely provoked.

In nature, female mason bees lay their eggs in hollow plant stems, insect holes, dead trees, even under house shingles. Finding such places is hard work! By putting up our nest kits, you are providing an easy, ideal, "ready-made" home for the bees until they "hatch out" the following spring. They will repay your kindness by pollinating your early spring fruits and berries. And, they like company. Once the nest kits have been discovered, they'll tell all of their friends!


Late April 2010
Female Mason Bees working at their Nest Tubes

You can attract them to your garden with our nesting kits that provide exactly the right size holes the Orchard Bees are seeking in early Spring, in which to lay their eggs. Place the nest kit in a sheltered, sunny spot facing East or South to catch the morning sun. Under the eaves of a shed or garage is an ideal location and be sure to avoid direct exposure to rain. The mud filled tubs can be ruined if they get soaked.

Extensive research by USDA has found that 6" long cardboard tubes about 5/16" in diameter are preferred by the bees over 4" holes drilled in wood blocks. The longer 6" tubes also insure a higher female ratio in the six or seven egg compartments-when compared to 4" long tubes.

The housing is made from 100% recyled and recyclable polypropylene. It is 6 1/2" deep, with a 3" diameter. The 6" cardboard nesting tubes are made from Kraft paper, clear wrapped for moisture resistance. Housing is made from 100% recycled and recyclable polypropylene. Each Nest Kit comes with an informative leaflet about Orchard Mason Bees.

It's really easy to attach our Mason Bee Houses to a wooden building, - up under the eaves, where it's sheltered and dry. Buy a roll of Plastic Hanger Tape from the Plumbing Supplies department of a hardware store or home center. It's used to support PVC drain pipes in basements and crawl spaces. It comes with pre-punched nail holes every half inch or so. Wrap a length around the body of your Bee House until two sets of nail holes overlap. Cut the tape. Hammer a flat headed nail through the overlapping holes and all the way into the wood until tape is firmly held. Then slide the Bee House about half way into the snug loop. Always install Bee Houses where they will be protected from direct rain, which would damage the Masons' mud work. Up close under the eaves of a shed, garage or porch is a perfect location.

Our Mason Bee Nest Kits do not include the bees. If you put the nest kits outside in the very early spring (when the fruit trees are in bloom) the bees will come! This photo shows our colony of Mason Bees. We started out with one empty nest kit five years ago and now we have a colony of over 4000 bees! Download our Mason Bee Nest Kits Brochure Graham & Michele Kinsman