Our BeeBasics Kit comes with just the basics you need to raise gentle mason bees for spring pollination and leafcutter bees for summer pollination.

Mason bees and leafcutter bees are active in different seasons and you can use the same bee house to raise both bees.

Instructions:

• Select a location that faces S to SE, morning sun is optimal to warm the bees so they can begin to fly. Provide afternoon shade in hot locations that are consistently above 90F/32C.
  
• Install bee house on a sturdy wall or fence, at eye level for easy observation of bee activity, about 5ft (1.5m) from the ground to protect from pests and predators.
  
• Locate the house within 300ft (100m) of your flowers.
  
• Position your bee house away from birdhouses and bird feeders.
  

1. In the spring when your blooms are opening and weather warms to 50F/10C, set up the BeeHut bee house. Remove the base cap by wiggling and pulling the cap back, this will loosen the rubber band that secures the house to the base cap. Install the cap to a wall, fence, or flat surface by placing screws (recommended) or nails through the base cap mounting holes. Create a slight downward angle for rain protection by first tightening and then backing the top screw out one full turn and the bottom screw ½ of a turn. If securing with nails, do not drive top nail flush to achieve the same angle as screw mounting. Gently push the BeeHut housing into the mounted base cap.
   
2. Place out only the larger cardboard BeeTubes (8mm) for mason bees and set your mason bee cocoons on top and towards the back. Clayey mud is vital to mason bee nesting. If needed, add Mason Bee Mud Mix to a hole in the ground within 25ft of your bee house.
   
3. When all female mason bees are done nesting, remove the 8mm BeeTubes and store with open end facing up in a BeeGuard Bag. Store over the summer in an unheated garage or shed.
   
4. Summer leafcutter bees fly best with consistent 75F/24C and above. Place out only the smaller cardboard BeeTubes (6mm) for leafcutter bees into bee house and set your leafcutter bee cocoons on top and towards the back.
   
5. Summer leafcutter bee activity will stop when the fall weather cools to below 60F/15C. Remove the BeeTubes and store with open end facing up in a BeeGuard Bag. Store over the winter in an unheated garage or shed.
   
6. Harvest your spring mason bee cocoons in the fall between October and December. Store mason bee cocoons in a HumidiBee container in your fridge. Harvest your summer leafcutter cocoons next spring, around the time that you set out your mason bee cocoons.

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