1. Welcome to Mason Bee Basics More buzzzz for your backyard and orchard Billie Bevers

2. What are Mason Bees? Native to US 130 types in NW Non aggressive
Solitary
Super pollinator
AKA BOB, OMB

3. Physical Characteristics
Smaller than a honey bee
About the size of a house fly
Female larger than male
Fuzzy
Male differences
No stinger
White on face
Longer antennae
Gathers no pollen
Blue/black in color

4. Three Types of Living Environments44
Three Types of Living Environments
30% nest in hives (social)
40% nest in holes (solitary)
30% nest in the ground (social and solitary)
Social – a sophisticated species similar to the honeybees. The members each have different tasks: getting pollen, being the queen, raising the young, foraging for food, etc.
Solitary – There are only two positions; a male and female. Each female is a queen.
Those insects that use holes; most find existing holes while there are a few that will create a hole
Has anyone found a cocoon while lifting a rock in the yard? That’s a solitary bee!
Algaia Blue Orchard Leafcutter Mud Dauber r
Bumblebee Digger Bee Alkaline Bee

5. Fun Facts Females decide whether to lay a female or male egg.
Females visit about 75 flowers per trip.
15 to 35 trips to collect enough pollen and nectar to feed one larva.
Lays approximately 30 eggs in her lifetime.
Mud dividers between eggs take about 10 trips to finish one wall.
It takes 250 to 750 orchard mason bees to pollinate an acre of apples, It takes 2 full hives (60,000 to 120,000) honeybees to cover the same area.

6. Pollination Advantage
Works in cool weather
Earlier in the year
Earlier in the day
Pollen collected on body
Collect pollen and nectar at the same time
Males also pollinate
97% effective – plant to plant, tree to tree
Prefers fruit trees

7. Life Cycle

8. Nesting – In the Wild Holes in logs, trees, house siding
They don't create, just occupy
Choose a riparian environment

9. Nesting – Your Space Creating for Your Space
South, southeast, east facing
Protected from wind and rain
Elevate 3-5 feet
Forage and mud close
Plan for predators and parasites

10. Essentials for a Mason Bee
Food
Pollen should be within 300’ (100m) of their hole.
Mason bees prefer composite flowers and open petals. Think “dandelion” and “fruit tree blossom.” However, they will get pollen from about any flower

11. What's in bloom in March Andromeda Pussy willow Vine maple Forsythia
Big-leaf maple
Oregon grape
Hazelnut
Indian plum
Windflower
Balsamroot
Crocus
Hyacinth
Alder
Pussy willow
Forsythia
Daphne
Currant
Skimmia japonica
Heath
Willow
Salmon berry
Elderberry
miner's lettuce

12. Nest Building Mud A source within 20-30 feet of shelter
Nest Building
Mud
A source within feet of shelter
Should be more clayey than silty
Create a mud hole
Dig 6-12 inches
Mound dirt beside hole
Other examples online
Mason bees don’t need water sources, just mud. They get their moisture from the nectar and mud. If your spring is typically rainy, then you probably have enough mud for mason bees to find on their own.
CAUTION: Recent findings (2011) show that having the correct mud, more clayey than sandy is vital. …and a good moisture content. The spring mason bees can’t pick up gravel or dry mud.

13. Housing Preferences Non Toxic Material No redwood, cedar or treated
Holes deep enough – 4-6”
Holes correct size – 5/16”
No gapes for light
No white*
¾ inch on center*
Straws a good option
*Optional

14. More Housing Options Tubes and straws inside a protected structure
Wood trays
Natural reeds
Teasel
Sunflower stems
Reeds

15. Predators and Parasites
Birds
Squirrels
Raccoons
Parasites
Parasitic wasps
Mites
Beetles

16. Good Places for More Info
snohomish.wsu.edu
xerces.org
homeorchardsociety.org
gardening.wsu.edu
crownbees.com
sare.org/Learning-Center/Books
fernandrosemary.com

17. Questions?