When we think of pollinators, honeybees often come to mind. But there’s another bee that deserves your attention: the mason bee. These little garden heroes are native to Ontario and are among the most efficient pollinators you can attract to your backyard.
Why Mason Bees Matter
- Super Pollinators: Just one mason bee can pollinate as many flowers as 100 honeybees in a single day!
- Gentle Nature: Mason bees are solitary and rarely sting. They’re safe around kids and pets.
- No Hive Needed: Females lay their eggs in small natural cavities like holes in wood, stems, or specially designed bee houses.
How to Attract Them to Your Garden
- Provide a Nesting Site: You can purchase or make a mason bee house using bamboo tubes, paper straws, or drilled wood blocks.
- Plant Early Bloomers: Mason bees emerge in early spring, so give them plenty of flowers like crocuses, dandelions, and fruit tree blossoms.
- Skip the Pesticides: Even natural sprays can harm these sensitive pollinators.
Mason bees may be quiet and solitary, but their impact on your garden—and our local food systems—is enormous. Support them, and your garden will thank you.