Fig. 1. Mounted at the garden edge
Mason Bee Nesting Block
Osmia lignaria — blue orchard mason bee
Thirty replaceable paper-lined tubes at the 5/16-inch diameter blue orchard mason bees prefer, in a kiln-dried pine block with a deep roof.
Leaves us in 1–2 business days. Standard delivery takes 3–6 business days in the contiguous US — free on orders of $75+, otherwise $7.95. Unused items can be returned within 30 days — see our returns policy.
Field tip: Hang by early spring when daytime highs reach 50°F.
Field notes on this piece
Mason bees don’t sting unless handled, don’t make honey and don’t keep a hive — each female fills a few tubes with pollen loaves and mud walls, then she’s done. Fruit trees and early-blooming natives love them.
Replaceable liners are the important part. Pull them in fall, store the cocoons somewhere cool, and put fresh liners in for spring; old, unlined holes collect mites and fungus.
What sets it apart
- Correct tube diameter for Osmia
- Replaceable liners prevent mites
- Deep overhang keeps tubes dry
- No chemicals or finishes
Pairs well with
Weight-Sensing Squirrel-Proof Seed Feeder
Field-tested on Sciurus carolinensis — eastern gray squirrel