What’s new?

Here we describe new products that were introduced recently and why. Each item is linked to the product page where it can easily be added to your shopping cart. Also note products at the bottom of the page ‘COMING SOON’.

Natural Phragmites Reeds-easy to use This is a natural product, easy to use and mason bees love it. Customers like the idea of a purely natural product even though these reeds are a one time use only. Once the bees use it as nesting material in the spring, and cocoons are harvested in the fall, reeds are replaced with new ones.

Cardboard Wrap for summer mason bees
- many nesting tunnels and the price is right Summer mason bees are tiny and are often less than 1/4 of the size of our spring mason bees. This cardboard wrap can be recycled, provides 99+ nesting tunnels and the price is right. This is a one time use product. This item sells well inside a Chalet. It is an attractive package and it will take summer bees 2-3 years to use all the nesting tunnels.

Mason Bee Home Kit – no nails- no glue This lovely home for mason bees can be put together by kids. It requires no glue or nails. This kit includes instructions for making the home and for rolling their own nesting tubes.  It includes all items to assemble the home and to make the nesting tubes.

Osmia californica- Late Spring Mason bee This mason bee is a boon for gardeners. Often springs are wet and cool here on the west coast, and our early spring mason bees miss out on pollinating our fruit trees. Osmia californica comes out at the tail end of the early spring bees and do well at pollinating late fruit trees, blueberries and raspberries. Distribution of this bee species is limited to the Western States and Provinces of NA

ALFALFA cutter Bees These will be available each year between March and June. In 2012 they are only available in Canada.   These bees are active in temperatures greater than 70 Fahrenheit or 20 Centigrade. It is a great summer bee available for pollinating tomatoes and other garden vegetables.

Humidity Control Chamber-a great method for storing and overwintering your bee cocoons in the fridge from November to early spring just before setting cocoons out with your bee home.  Keeps cocoons cool and humid.

Insect Hotel  Would  you like to provide nests for both summer mason bees and leafcutter bees?  do you have summer flowers that need pollinating?  This cute Hotel provides a variety of nesting holes for a variety of bees. In addition, the upper compartment provides a save haven for other beneficial insects.

Leafcutter Bee Highrise   This Highrise Home contains nesting holes specifically designed for leafcutter bees.  These bees love the summer heat and do best in temperatures of more than 20C.  They are  great for summer pollination of tomatoes and other summer vegetables.