Post-harvest Storage
Keys to success
Storing harvested and cleaned mason bee cocoons is easy when 2 facts are taken into consideration:
- Keep other animals from eating cocoons
- Store in a cold place with approx. 70% humidity for two months to ensure proper overwintering.
1. Storing cocoons outside works well when outside humidity is at least 60% and winter temperatures dip around or below freezing for about 2 months. The key to success is protection from other animals. Our Beediverse Hatching box is made from solid wood and keeps animals ou
t. This method works well until temperatures go over 2-
4C. Before temperatures go above this range, rotate lid of hatching box and bees can emerge as temperatures rise
t. This method works well until temperatures go over 2-4C. Before temperatures go above this range, rotate lid of hatching box and bees can emerge as temperatures rise2. Storing bees in a fridge at 2-4 C keeps bees hibernating until you want bees to start pollinating. Keeping humidity above 70% is the key to success. Our Beediverse Humidity cooler 
has a compartment for water and this makes it easy to keep humidity at the right level when storage is inside a fridge.
3. For temporary storage after candling, our candling dish is the tool to use. Dishes can be stacked until setting cocoons into a storage system.