Native Bee Farming

Mason bees are super pollinators! It is estimated that mason bees pollinate 95% of the flowers they visit. They are important pollinators of fruit trees, vegetables, and flowers, and are vital for our environment and food production.

Unfortunately, mason bees and other native bee populations are on the decline. 

The Master Gardener of Davidson County Native Bee Program began in 2021 with a goal to increase the population of native bees in the area. We are well on our way with over 1,200 cocoons harvested in 2023 and are anticipating the same for 2024! It is our hope that each year, as we are able to harvest more bees, we can expand the number of Native Bee Farming Participants.

What is a Native Bee Farmer? We call our program participants "Native Bee Farmers". There are currently 50+ participants caring for over 60 bee houses. A few of the tasks our Bee Farmers do to care for these native pollinators are:

• Create native bee habitats for mason and leafcutter bees by installing bee houses in their yard & making sure they have plenty of native plants, especially those with spring & early summer blooms. In early spring, they place cocoons and new nesting materials in the bee houses near blooming plants and a mud source.
• Watch over the cocoons, protecting them from birds and other predators until about July when they bring the reeds in from the elements.
• Harvest the cocoons in late fall using eco-friendly techniques.

Behind the scenes, the bee program leaders plan and organize the purchasing, sorting, and distribution of the cocoon tubes and reeds for spring and the harvesting of cocoons in the fall. They sort the cocoons from the previous year’s filled reeds & inspect them for the presence of pests or disease. In the spring, they also pass out small spray bottles of bee pheromone that helps the emerging bees recognize the reeds as a suitable place to lay eggs.