It's mason bee time!

          The maple trees are budding in midwestern Indiana, and that means the native mason bees are hatching! Unlike us, they are done sheltering in place and they are ready to get out and do the two things they do: pollinate plants and make baby bees.
    If you have children at home, or even adults who are beginning to behave like children, making a mason bee nest could be a great way to keep them busy.
     What do you need to know?

1. Mason bees won't hurt you and if you are allergic to bee stings, they still won't hurt you. Mason bees do not cause anaphylactic shock and they are not interested in stinging you.
2. Seriously. These are not honey bees or wasps. You have to work really hard to get mason bees to sting you and even then, they won't hurt you. I promise.
3. You don't need to spend any money to raise them. You need a source of plant stems or reeds and a sheltered place to put them.
4. That's it. Put together a bee shelter, place it near your blooms, and watch every day -  between watching the news and checking social media - to see who moves in.

     I can help you! I live in West Lafayette, Indiana. I am currently not working and I have lots of experience raising mason bees. I am available to answer your questions and offer free advice. I also have a few bee bottles and reeds that I can sell to you to get started as well as a supply of homegrown mason bee cocoons that are just waiting to hatch.
     You can learn  more on this website as well as by visiting www.crownbees.com. They do a great job of helping you raise mason bees in the most sustainable and bee-friendly way possible.
     Want to know more? Send me a message, email, or text. I will be uploading photos and videos in the coming weeks to help you along. Stay safe, everybody, and remember that the coronavirus can't cancel Spring!