If you’d like to get into beekeeping but aren’t quite ready to manage a buzzing hive of 40,000 honey bees, consider starting with solitary bees: mason bees and leafcutter bees are extremely gentle and don’t require any specialized protective gear or training. Even though they’re tiny, these amazing insects are super pollinators and can dramatically increase the yields in your gardens.
Unlike honey bees, which require tending and a bit of skill, solitary bees are remarkably easy to care for and are safe around those allergic to stings. You can get started raising solitary bees in your backyard for less than the price of dinner and a movie.
Blue orchard mason bees are native to the Pacific Northwest and love to pollinate early spring blooms. Their tiny size allows them to fit into flowers that honey bees can’t easily reach. Though they have a short flight range, their belly-flop landing style makes them super effective pollinators.
Click to learn more about getting started with a mason bee kit through our partners at Crown Bees in Woodinville, WA.
Leafcutters bees are gentle, curious summer pollinators that we think are just about the most adorable things ever. Just look at that face! As their name suggests, they harvest tiny cuttings of leaves to build their homes.
Click to learn more about getting started with a leafcutter bee kit through our partners at Crown Bees in Woodinville, WA.
Learn More
The links above will take you to the Crown Bees shop where you can purchase starter kits, but they also have a fantastic series of training articles and instructional videos to help you get started. We highly recommend them! Click here to learn more.
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.