The lists below are intended only as a guide and do not represent an endorsement on my part. Some of the distributors indicate the number of females and some do not.
I am noticing that suppliers have concentrated on providing only cocoons. Bees that are sold in unopened straws often turn out to be a dissapointment to the buyer; there is no guarantee in results. Cocoons offer guaranteed results; there’s no mystery as to what you’re gettng. There is either an equal ratio of male to female bees or a 4:6 ratio (4 females & 6 males). Remember the females are the pollinators and the males are for reproduction only.
As a general rule you can order bees up to Feb. 1st. Bees are not shipped after temperatures start warming up. Some of the local nurseries and bird shops can keep the bees a little longer because they will store them in refrigeration. If you need to order bees, start placing your order or looking to place an order in November of December preceding the next spring.
Note: Upon purchasing or receiving your cocoons, inspect them very carefully. If you notice any small holes, let the supplier know about the problem. The holes indicate that the cocoon is not occupied by a mason bee, but some parasite. The larger cocoons are the females and, of course, the smaller ones are males.
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