Houdini flies are kleptoparasites that target Mason bee cocoons. Squish them in the morning when they're slow, and use a shop vac in the afternoon when they're harder to catch.
www.youtube.com/shorts/dQ5QZ...
Through more than 100 chapters and 13,000+ members nationwide, Wild Ones is connecting people and native plants through education and hands-on action 🌱
Join a growing community restoring native landscapes across the country.
Become a member → wildones.org
Spring arrives on its own schedule.
For parts of North America that are just now seeing their first warm days, Mason bee season is starting right now. We've added a May 4 shipping date for anyone who hasn't ordered yet.
The bees don't wait. Neither should you.
crownbees.com/products/buy...
Water-holding capacity varies with soil texture and organic matter content.
What's the first sign of spring in your yard?
For a lot of us, it's not the weather. It's the moment you spot the first Mason bee of the season checking out a bee house or disappearing into a hollow stem.
What do you look for?
Dave’s turning his last bit of lawn into a flowering lawn called “flawn”. This will replace hard-to-maintain grass. A shift toward more blooms and fewer empty green spaces can create a huge impact for pollinators.
youtu.be/_WxqIol8xDI
Spring Break Science? Yes, please!
Let your kids watch Mason bees build mud walls and lay eggs in real time. The Bee Observer + BeePOPs make it happen and teach them how bees see UV light we can't.
Add both to your cart for 15% off through April 15. 🐝
crownbees.com/collections/...
Friendly reminder: drilling into a wood block is not a bee house. Rough walls, trapped moisture, no way to harvest or check for disease. Think like a bee, not a decorator. The cavity depth and width matter more than how it looks on your fence.
Learn more here: crownbees.com/pages/harmfu...
Reasons you should be getting BeeMail:
-> Algorithms hide our posts. You're probably missing stuff.
-> Free, practical, bee guidance timed to the season.
-> No clutter. Just tips, how-tos, and research updates.
-> Dispatches from Dave's desk and science from Kellie.
crownbees.com/pages/beemail
Try 8mm. Make sure the paper straws are inside a cardboard tube with a capped back end.
2026 River Madness is officially here! Which of these four rivers will reign supreme? 🌊🏆 That's up to you!
Two rivers will be moving on to the final starting March 26. Make your first round pick in the comments below!
Let the madness begin! 💥 ⬇️
Already seeing summer temps? Summer Leaf Bees ship free via FedEx 2-day, available a month early this April. Buy One Set (200 cocoons), Get the 2nd 50% off with Free 2-day FedEx shipping.
Your squash, beans, and tomatoes will thank you.
crownbees.com/products/sum...
Happy 1st Day of Spring!
Not sure what to do at what time of the year with your Mason bees? Sign up for BeeMail! Sent twice monthly.
crownbees.com/pages/beemail
🌳 Congratulations to the winners of the International Day of Forests 2026 photo contest!
🌍 We received 530 entries from across 87 countries showcasing how forests contribute to economic prosperity worldwide.
Read more 👉 http://bit.ly/3NNcqx5
#ForestDay #WorldWaterDay
Featuring Dave Hunter, author of Mason Bee Revolution, along with panelists Jessi Bloom, Bill Thorness, Kim M. Camara, and Swil Kanim, this event hopes to empower everyone to play a part in rebuilding healthy pollinator networks and securing a thriving, sustainable planet.
Learn about the benefits of Mason bees, the importance of best-gardening practices to protect Puget Sound salmon, and how you can make a difference in keeping our city climate change resilient.
Join local beekeepers, gardeners, and native plant experts in a conversation about turning your own backyard into a native ecosystem oasis.
Live in Seattle or via livestream!
townhallseattle.org/event/rewild...
Summer Leaf bees now ship in April. Community members in warmer states have asked for the last few years to open our shipping early, so we did! And they're Buy One Set (200ct), Get the 2nd Set 50% Off!
youtube.com/shorts/EJ6-P...
Identifying observations for others is one of the most impactful things you can do on iNaturalist — and you don't need to be an expert to start.
Join us on March 19th (Taxonomy Day!) at 9am PT for a free webinar on how to help your fellow iNat community members: tr.ee/7Opp8zGkIQ
Last week we introduced THE BeeSafe™ standard for raising solitary, cavity-nesting bees. If your bee house can't be opened or cleaned, it may be hurting the future bee population. Place it in a BeeGuard bag for a safe exit.
First 500 entries get 1 FREE! → zurl.co/DHTq0
#bees #MasonBees #BeeSafe
Bee houses are not deco.
Cavity-nesting bees evolved with fresh nesting holes each year. When we cluster holes together and never open them, pests thrive.
BeeSafe™ brings housing, nesting materials, and seasonal care together into one standard.
crownbees.com/pages/beesaf...
#NativeBees #BeeCare
Green/yellow promotional graphic for event titled "ReWilding Seattle Gardens." On the left, the title is listed with the book cover for "Mason Bee Revolution" and the event date - March 18 at 7:30 PM. On the right, labeled headshots of the speakers are included (Dave Hunter, Jessi Bloom, and Bill Thorness). Presented by Town Hall Seattle.
3/18 at 7:30 PM | Learn about turning your own backyard into a native ecosystem oasis with Dave Hunter, author of "Mason Bee Revolution", along with panelists @jessibloom.bsky.social and Bill Thorness.
@crown-bees.bsky.social
🎟️ Get tickets: buff.ly/3RGi3Vw
Our founder/owner, Dave, joined The Birdhouse NY broadcast to talk about Mason Bees! Like everyone else, we're looking forward to spring, and the first signs of spring in the garden are blooms and Mason bees.
www.youtube.com/live/3vM7hcm...
Observe and adapt. Nature will tell you what works if you pay attention.
Not sure when to order Mason bee cocoons? Spring Mason bees are ready to emerge when daytime temperatures reach a consistent daytime temperature of 55°F/13°C and spring blooms are open.
Predicting spring bloom temps can be challenging. Use our guide to picking a date.
crownbees.com/pages/pick-m...
BEE Cupid this year and attract Mason bees to your yard with Invitabee! Spend $50, add Invitabee to your cart, use code BEECUPID, and get Invitabee free!
crownbees.com/collections/...
1st Mason bee shipments are out! If you live in a warmer area, now is your time to order! These bees only live 6-8 weeks in 55*F daily consistent weather.
Buy 1 Set (40cocoons), Get 1 Set 50% Off!
crownbees.com/products/buy...
Give Mason bees this year for #ValentinesDay.
crownbees.com/products/buy...
