2018-2019 Horticultural Catalog

Beneficial Insects
Mason bees
Mason bees are extremely important to the survival & variety of our foods & flowers. They
are especially important for home or smaller gardens.
The Mason bee is a very productive outdoor pollinator for spring flowers, fruits, and nuts.
Because the pollen is carried dry on her hair, it falls off easily as she moves among flowers.
Mason bees will work in cool or rainy weather (honeybees will not), and Mason bees start
earlier in the season. However, unlike the honeybee, the Mason bee will only travel about
300 feet from their home. They collect pollen for protein and nectar for energy. All Mason
bees are solitary, meaning each one operates independently; there is no queen or hive.
Mason bees are extremely gentle & allow you to get very close to nesting holes without
getting stung, so there is no need for protective gear or expensive equipment.
Spring Mason bees rely on mud or dirt to build their nesting chamber – so areas with
sandy soil, beaches & deserts, are not generally able to support Mason Bees.
Do not underestimate this requirement!
Credit: The Honeybee Conservancy/Anthophilous a 501c3 non-profit & Crown Bees
Mason Bees (Osmia lignaria)
MB-R6
Ships 6 bee cocoons per tube
• Excellent early-spring pollinators; Each Mason Bees is 120 times
more effective than a honey bee or a bumble bee
• They’re also active in colder temperatures which make them very
effective in orchards, home gardens, garden centers and schools
• Available December through March
• Six cocoons per tube, two females and four males
6 bee cocoons
60-20700 Case of 5 $ 48.80
Mason Bee Starter Kit
MB-RSK
• This kit contains everything you need to introduce and attract beneficial mason bees to your garden. It
includes: The Plan Bee! Mason Bee Nest; an informative Mason Bee book written by Christopher O’Toole,
one of the world authorities on bees; and a certificate that can be redeemed for 6 live Mason Bee cocoons
INSTALLATION: Mason Bees like morning sunshine, so look for a south or east facing spot. A fence or wall
or side of a building is good. Avoid a spot under a swaying branch since the bees don’t like dappled shade.
Pick a spot well above ground, insert the nest into the mounting bracket, and use the included screws to
mount the nest horizontally. Remove the plastic cap to expose the nesting tubes. The habitat should be in
place at the first warmth of spring. There are more detailed instructions inside the cylinder, remove these for
further reference.
Starter Kit
60-20800 Case of 4 $ 128.23
beneficial insects
Plan Bee! Mason Bee Nest
OB-RBN35
• This kit will help attract these beneficial bees to your garden. Since Mason Bees are solitary bees and do
not make hives, they are always looking for a place to make a home. They look for a hole or tunnel that has
been bored out by a beetle or other insect and go in and clean it out. When they find these tubes that are
the perfect size and shape, and already cleaned out, they will move right in. Includes nest with 35 tubes
and mounting bracket.
INSTALLATION: Same as Mason Bee Starter Kit above
Bee Nest - (35 Nest Tubes & Bracket)
60-20810 Case of 12 $ 150.44
Replacement Mason Bee Tube Pack
MB-RRT35
Includes 35 tubes
• Replacement tubes for the Plan Bee!
Mason Bee Nest. Replace used tubes
and offer a clean place to attract new
Mason Bees. Use in your own home
made nest, the ideal size to attract
mason bees
35 Replacement Tubes
60-20820 Case of 5 $ 36.95
The Mason Bees Book
(How to attract & maintain Mason Bees)
BKMB
• Written by one of the world’s leading authorities
on bees, Christopher O’Toole, it tells the home
gardener how to attract and maintain the friendly
Mason Bees in the garden
Mason Bee Book
60-21400 Case of 5 $ 42.30
All Orcon Beneficial Insects are Direct Ship, Case Only with a $200 minimum order
800-325-3055
www.hummert.com
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