Mason bees are gentle, solitary bees that are highly effective pollinators for fruit trees and gardens. Unlike honey bees, they do not live in hives or make honey.

Are mason bees better pollinators than honey bees?

For home gardens and orchards, mason bees are often far more efficient than honey bees because they carry pollen loosely on their bodies and pollinate more flowers per visit.

Mason bees are gentle bees and rarely sting. Because they do not defend a hive, stings are extremely uncommon.

Are mason bees safe around kids and pets?

Yes. Mason bees are calm, non-aggressive, and widely considered safe around children and pets.

What plants do mason bees pollinate best?

Mason bees excel at pollinating apples, cherries, pears, plums, blueberries, and other early-blooming plants.

When should I buy mason bees?

Mason bees should be purchased before early spring bloom in your region to ensure proper timing and availability.

Is it hard to raise mason bees?

No. Mason bees are easy to raise and require very little time, equipment, or ongoing maintenance.

Do mason bees come back every year?

Yes. With proper nesting and basic care, mason bees can reproduce and return year after year.

Do I need to buy mason bees every year?

Not necessarily. Many gardeners develop a self-sustaining population over time.

Can mason bees damage my house?

No. Mason bees do not chew wood or damage structures. They only nest in pre-made tunnels.

Are mason bees good for small or urban gardens?

Yes. Mason bees thrive in small spaces and are ideal for urban and backyard gardens.

Why buy mason bees from Crown Bees?

Crown Bees provides region-specific bees, responsibly designed nesting systems, and expert educational support.

Build Your Own Bee House: A BeeSafe™ Guide

Building a bee house is one of the most rewarding things you can do for local pollinators. Solitary bees are among nature's most efficient pollinators and unlike honeybees, they are gentle, rarely sting, and easy to host in your own backyard. This guide walks you through everything you need to design, build, and place a DIY bee house that genuinely helps bees thrive.

Built on the Crown Bees BeeSafe™ Standard, a science-based framework for healthy cavity-nesting bee habitat.

Start Building

Why Build a Bee House?

Solitary bees — including mason bees and leafcutter bees — are important pollinators and a gardener's best friend. Unlike honeybees, they live alone, nesting in small cavities rather than hives. As natural landscapes have changed, hollow stems, beetle holes, and crevices in old wood have become harder to find, leaving these bees without safe places to nest.

A DIY bee house can help replace that lost habitat. But there is a catch: a poorly designed or unmaintained bee house can do more harm than good. Without proper materials and routine care, bee houses can become breeding grounds for mold, pollen mites, and parasites, putting the very bees you want to protect at greater risk.

That is why Crown Bees developed the BeeSafe™ Standard: a practical, science-based approach to building and maintaining bee houses that genuinely supports bee health across every season. The standard is built on four connected principles. Learn about the BeeSafe™ pillars before you build.

Bee Buddies Teachers: Getting Your Bee House Built

If you are a teacher in the Bee Buddies Pollinator Program, this guide is exactly what you need to get a bee house built for your classroom. You do not need to build it yourself. Share this page with a fellow teacher, your school's high school shop class, a parent volunteer, or a community member who is handy with wood. The step-by-step instructions and material requirements are all here, so whoever builds it can follow the BeeSafe™ Standard without any guesswork.

Download the Printable Build Guide (PDF)

Step-by-Step: Building Your Bee House

Follow these steps to build a DIY bee house that meets the BeeSafe™ Standard.

Choose your house type. Decide between a wood house or a container house. Wood houses are the most traditional and durable option. Container houses made from repurposed items like milk cartons, plastic buckets, or cut PVC pipe are a practical, low-cost alternative.
Select your materials. Use natural, untreated wood for wood houses. If you plan to paint or stain, allow at least one month for the finish to fully cure before placing near bees, as fresh paint odor can repel them. Avoid composite materials like chipboard or particleboard, which disintegrate in wet weather.
Design the structure. Include a 2-inch roof overhang to protect nesting materials from rain and give adult bees shelter on windy days. If using a container, poke air vents into the sides or bottom to prevent mold buildup. Keep the entrance clear of any vegetation that could block bee access.
Add a cocoon hatchery. Build a dedicated hatchery compartment into your design. This protected space shields cocoons from sun, wind, rain, and predators as bees emerge each spring, and is a key feature of any BeeSafe™ house.
Fill with BeeSafe™ nesting materials. Choose removable, openable nesting materials in the correct diameter for your target bee species. See the nesting materials section below for a full breakdown of options and sizing.
Mount in the right location. Placement is critical. See the Location section below for full guidance on positioning your house for success.
Set up and maintain your house each season. Once built, follow the Crown Bees guide on how to set up your bee house for detailed instructions on placing cocoons, monitoring during the active season, and end-of-season cocoon care.

Pro Tip: You can also use this guide to evaluate store-bought bee houses. Check whether the nesting materials are removable, whether cavity dimensions are appropriate for the species, and whether there is a dedicated space for a cocoon hatchery.

House & Container Design

There is no limit to how simple or elaborate your DIY bee house can look, but there are structural rules every BeeSafe™ build must follow.

Wood Houses

Natural, untreated wood is the best choice. Wood breathes, regulates moisture naturally, and is attractive to bees. Consider using recycled or reclaimed timber to promote sustainability.

Use untreated, natural wood only with no pressure-treated lumber
If painting or staining, allow at least one month for full cure before placing near active bees
Include a 2-inch roof overhang to shield nesting materials from rain
Avoid composite materials like chipboard or particleboard, as they break down in moisture
Drill a 1/4-inch mounting hole through the top center of the back panel so the house can be secured firmly to a post, fence, or wall
To fit Crown Bees Reusable Wood Trays, build the interior cavity to 3.25" H x 5.5" W x 6" D. These dimensions are compatible with the Cabin, Chalet, and Townhouse bee house designs.

Container Houses

If woodworking is not your preference, container houses are a practical alternative. Repurposed milk cartons, plastic buckets, and cut PVC pipes all work well.

Poke air vents in the sides or bottom to prevent mold
Provide an overhang or cover to protect nesting materials from rain
Thoroughly clean and dry any repurposed containers before use to remove residual odors that could deter bees

Pro Tip: Plan a hatchery space into your design from the start. It does not need to be large, just a protected section where cocoon trays or loose cocoons can rest safely as bees emerge each spring.

Nesting Materials

Every material you place in your bee house must be removable and openable so cocoons can be harvested and cleaned at the end of each season. Good options include natural reeds, double-walled paper tubes, and reusable wood trays. For drilled wood blocks, always add paper inserts so the nest can be accessed and replace blocks every couple of years. For a full breakdown of materials, sizing, and best practices, see the BeeSafe™ Nesting Materials guide.

Materials to Avoid

These materials prevent proper cocoon care and do not meet the BeeSafe™ Standard. Sealed or fixed nesting materials allow pests and disease to build up over time. Learn more about harmful nesting materials.

Avoid: Bamboo Avoid: Single-wall paper tubes Avoid: Plastic straws Avoid: Drilled blocks without paper inserts Avoid: Glued or permanently fixed materials

Location & Installation

Where you place your bee house is just as important as how you build it. Bees need morning sun, a stable mount, clear sightlines to their entrance, and forage within 300ft. For complete placement guidance, see our full bee house setup guide.

Ready to Get Started?

If you want a head start, our Bare Bones Starter Kit includes BeeSafe™ nesting materials sized to spec so you can focus on building the house itself. Everything included meets the BeeSafe™ Standard for removability, cavity size, and seasonal care.

Building a Bee House That Truly Helps Bees

Building a bee house is one thing. Building a bee house that truly supports bee health is another. The BeeSafe™ Standard brings together the best practices developed through years of hands-on observation so that anyone can provide habitat that makes a genuine difference for native bee populations.

Children, in particular, love the gentle nature of solitary bees, making this a rewarding activity for the whole family. With the right design, materials, and placement, your DIY bee house can become a lasting refuge for local bees for years to come.

Have fun, and happy pollinating!