Sign in

Crown Bees

@crown-bees.bsky.social
243 followers 158 following 271 posts

Raise gentle solitary bees, Mason and Summer Leaf (Leafcutter). Better pollination, no stings, real native pollinator stewardship. New to bees? Start here: crownbees.com/raise-solitary-bees

PostsRepliesMedia
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Before you reach for the rake this fall, think about who's counting on that mess. A layer of leaves isn't just yard waste; it's insulation. Ground-nesting bees, overwintering butterflies, and beneficial insects tuck into leaf litter to survive the cold.
100
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Cleaning and storing Mason bee cocoons takes practice, especially for new-bees: checking for mites, getting humidity right, and not damaging anything in the process. Harvest Service does that for you. It's open now if that sounds like a better use of your fall. crownbees.com/products/mas...
crownbees.com
Mason Bee Harvest Service
Provide your Mason Bees with expert care this fall through our Harvest Service. We remove pests and safely overwinter your bees to ensure they return strong and ready in spring. Service includes up to...
020
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Leafcutter bees are starting to wind down for the season. If yours are still active, watch for when visits to your reeds or trays start to slow; that's usually the sign the season is coming to a close.
010
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
True or false: a female Leafcutter bee can tell the difference between leaf types and will favor one plant over another for her nest.
111
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
The weekend's coming up; a good time to get your Leafcutter cocoon order in if you've been putting it off. The BOGO offer is still running, applied automatically at checkout, no code needed.
000
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Late summer is when Leafcutter bees are still hard at work, filling reeds with eggs. Steady activity around your housing this week is a good sign, a quiet dip with cooler weather usually means Mason bee cocoon harvest season is getting close.
011
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
First round of BOGO Leafcutter bee cocoons shipped out today! If you have not grabbed yours yet, the offer is still running and applies automatically at checkout; no code needed. Sale & shipping wrap up at the end of August, along with the Leafcutter season itself. crownbees.com/products/sum...
000
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Mason bee harvest season is almost here (Oct), and once it starts, timing matters. If you've never harvested cocoons before, this is where things can go wrong fast.
Wooden Mason bee nesting reeds are being cleaned out with a green scraper tool (Cocoon Comb), revealing dark cocoon cells and debris inside the channels, held in one hand.
121
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Leafcutter bee cocoons are BOGO this month, applied automatically at checkout for ship dates August 10, 17, 27, and 31. crownbees.com/products/sum...
crownbees.com
Leafcutter Bees | 200+ Count | Buy 1 Set, Get 1 Free
Boost your summer harvest with Leafcutter bees with 200+ cocoons and pollination power up to 100X more effective than honey bees.
110
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
How did your Leafcutter bees do this month? Nesting activity picking up, slowing down, something unexpected? Tell us how the summer is treating them.
031
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
What's the most annoying part of tracking your Mason bee and/or Leafcutter bee cocoons each season?
000
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Millions of bees keep spilling off trucks lately, making headlines. No official count exists, but more almond acreage and Varroa mites mean more bees on the road. Hoping this attention reaches Mason bees and Leafcutter bees next. Curious about raising bees? Link in bio. youtube.com/shorts/ThqNj...
youtube.com
Millions of Bees Keep Spilling Off Trucks. We Looked Into Why.
YouTube video by Crown Bees - The Solitary Bee Specialists
000
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Halfway through the Leafcutter bee season, a 2nd batch may emerge. It's not a bonus generation; it's a warning sign of early hatching inside filled reeds. Here's what's happening and how to protect your bees. youtube.com/shorts/_KGNf...
youtube.com
If a 2nd Batch of Leafcutter Bees Appears Mid-Season
YouTube video by Crown Bees - The Solitary Bee Specialists
040
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Ever wonder who's actually living in your yard? That curiosity's the whole idea behind our Camp Discovery rewilding push this summer, less about tearing things up, more about noticing what's already there. 10% off through July 22 to help you give them a home. 🐝 crownbees.com/collections/...
010
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
We don't send bee houses filled with reeds. It's on purpose. We start new bee raisers with just enough nesting material to succeed in year one, then let them grow their reed count as their bees do. Keeps that 1st year affordable. www.youtube.com/shorts/0_GQa... #MasonBees #SaveTheBees
youtube.com
Why We Don't Fully Fill Bee Houses with Reeds
YouTube video by Crown Bees - The Solitary Bee Specialists
020
Reposted by Crown Bees
The Wildlife Society @thewildlifesociety.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
In celebration of pollinator week, The Wildlife Society sat down with Dave Hunter, native bee conservation advocate and founder of Crown bees, to discuss how small actions build big results in our backyards for bees.
wildlife.org
Backyard solutions turn bee curiosity into conservation
More than three decades ago, a disappointing apple harvest and a chance event set Dave Hunter on an unexpected path. After his wife came home buzzing about a neighbor’s apple tree that was producing thousands of apples while their tree sat barren, Hunter went searching for solutions to his comparatively
041
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Update on Dave's 'flawn'! Bare spots are filling in, clover's spreading, and the first wildflowers are showing up. Slow going, but exactly the plan. Flawn = flower lawn, a mix of grass, clover, and low wildflowers left a little wild for the pollinators. #bees youtube.com/shorts/GhpzP...
youtube.com
'Flawn' Update: Watching a Wildflower Lawn Take Shape
YouTube video by Crown Bees - The Solitary Bee Specialists
021
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Pollinator Week from @pollinatororg.bsky.social is here! Now through June 28, take $5 off orders of $25 or more. A great time to bring wild bees to your yard. #pollinators #bees #PollinatorWeek crownbees.com/collections/...
021
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Quick summer tip. Once daytime temps are above 75°F/24°C, and your blossoms are open, it's time to set your Leafcutter bees. Unlike Mason Bees, they can't wait in the fridge, so watch your weather. More on timing: crownbees.com/pages/before-you-release-leafcutter-bees
051
Reposted by Crown Bees
Learn Dirt @learndirt.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Connect your garden to surrounding ecosystems for wildlife corridors.
0114
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Your Mason Bees are done flying for the year. So who pollinates the summer garden? Meet the Leafcutter bee, the warm-season partner that keeps tomatoes, squash, and melons producing through the hottest weeks.
183
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
A bee that builds with pebbles? We didn't expect it either. Meet Rocky, who spent the year growing inside a tiny stone nursery his mother built. Likely Hoplitis albifrons, a summer-active solitary bee. #WildBees #Pollinators #SolitaryBees #PNW #BeeHotel youtu.be/QDnIlMeSb-Q
youtu.be
Mystery Bee in Our Mason Bee Reeds
YouTube video by Crown Bees - The Solitary Bee Specialists
000
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Want seasonal reminders and our best bee tips? Join BeeMail and we will send the guide straight to your inbox. crownbees.com/pages/beemail
010
Reposted by Crown Bees
Wild Ones @wildonesnatives.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
🌿 Already growing native plants? The Less Lawn More Life Challenge is for you too. Join the FREE challenge at www.lesslawnmorelife.com?ref=wildones
0125
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
🐝Happy World Bee Day 🐝 Our bioblitz runs through Saturday. Photograph any bee or living thing you find and post to @inaturalist.bsky.social. Learn more: crownbees.com/pages/world-...
021
Reposted by Crown Bees
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations @fao.org · 18/05/2026
“It’s a bee!” 🐝 Bees and other pollinators help grow the food we eat 🍎🍇🫐🥦🥕🍅 Over 75% of the world's major crops depend on pollination, yet pollinators are in decline. This #WorldBeeDay, discover why we should all BEE grateful and how to help 📖 bit.ly/4cVrUJe
03614
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
World Bee Day is May 20. From May 17-23, get outside and photograph what you find. Bees, beetles, birds, plants, anything living. Post to iNaturalist. Every picture matters. crownbees.com/worldbeedaybioblitz
crownbees.com
021
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Painting or pressure washing this spring? You can safely relocate your Mason bee house without disrupting nesting females. Wait for dusk, move it 6-8 feet away, and keep the same orientation. #bees #MasonBees #BeeHouse youtube.com/shorts/Sly2c...
youtube.com
How to Temporarily Move Your Bee House
YouTube video by Crown Bees - The Solitary Bee Specialists
020
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Found your bee house on the ground with reeds scattered everywhere? Don't panic. Here's how to save your nesting bees. 🧵 youtube.com/shorts/GCfHw...
youtube.com
My Bee House Fell Down! Now What?
YouTube video by Crown Bees - The Solitary Bee Specialists
110
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Summer's pollinator is small, gentle, and probably already in your yard. Dave shows you how to give Summer Leaf Bees a home. youtube.com/shorts/W5SrO...
youtube.com
How to Release Summer Leaf Bees
YouTube video by Crown Bees - The Solitary Bee Specialists
000
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Mason bee season wrapping up? Here's how to shift your bee house to Summer Leaf Bees in just a few simple steps. youtu.be/KmMfwamHhfw
youtu.be
Shifting from Mason Bees to Summer Leaf Bees
YouTube video by Crown Bees - The Solitary Bee Specialists
130
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
A Portland community scientist spent 2 years testing wine on the worst Mason bee pest in the PNW. A low-cost Malbec works. Mason bees ignore it. So, we built a trap. crownbees.com/products/houdini-fly-trap youtu.be/dRWLfXk5Lt0
youtu.be
Houdini Fly Trap DIY
YouTube video by Crown Bees - The Solitary Bee Specialists
021
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Direct sun can overheat Mason Bee cocoons before the bees ever get a chance to emerge. Keep them in the shade. youtube.com/shorts/isFch...
youtube.com
Keep Mason Bee Cocoons Out of Direct Sun!
YouTube video by Crown Bees - The Solitary Bee Specialists
010
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Green leaves blurred in the background. In the foreground, is a bee butt sticking out of a white flower. Text at the bottom reads "Happy Earth Day", with the Crown Bees logo below.
020
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Houdini flies are kleptoparasites that target Mason bee cocoons. Squish them in the morning when they're slow, and use a shop vac in the afternoon when they're harder to catch. www.youtube.com/shorts/dQ5QZ...
youtube.com
Act Fast Against Houdini Flies!
YouTube video by Crown Bees - The Solitary Bee Specialists
010
Reposted by Crown Bees
Wild Ones @wildonesnatives.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Through more than 100 chapters and 13,000+ members nationwide, Wild Ones is connecting people and native plants through education and hands-on action 🌱 Join a growing community restoring native landscapes across the country. Become a member → wildones.org
072
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Spring arrives on its own schedule. For parts of North America that are just now seeing their first warm days, Mason bee season is starting right now. We've added a May 4 shipping date for anyone who hasn't ordered yet. The bees don't wait. Neither should you. crownbees.com/products/buy...
crownbees.com
Mason Bees, 25% Off for 2026 Ship Dates
Buy Orchard Bee Association-certified, region-specific Mason bees for reliable spring pollination. Pest-free and ready to ship in Spring + Free 2-Day Shipping.
020
Reposted by Crown Bees
Learn Dirt @learndirt.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Water-holding capacity varies with soil texture and organic matter content.
061
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
What's the first sign of spring in your yard? For a lot of us, it's not the weather. It's the moment you spot the first Mason bee of the season checking out a bee house or disappearing into a hollow stem. What do you look for?
010
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Dave’s turning his last bit of lawn into a flowering lawn called “flawn”. This will replace hard-to-maintain grass. A shift toward more blooms and fewer empty green spaces can create a huge impact for pollinators. youtu.be/_WxqIol8xDI
youtu.be
We're Replacing Our Lawn with a Flowering Lawn (Here's Why)
YouTube video by Crown Bees - The Solitary Bee Specialists
000
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Spring Break Science? Yes, please! Let your kids watch Mason bees build mud walls and lay eggs in real time. The Bee Observer + BeePOPs make it happen and teach them how bees see UV light we can't. Add both to your cart for 15% off through April 15. 🐝 crownbees.com/collections/...
020
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Friendly reminder: drilling into a wood block is not a bee house. Rough walls, trapped moisture, no way to harvest or check for disease. Think like a bee, not a decorator. The cavity depth and width matter more than how it looks on your fence. Learn more here: crownbees.com/pages/harmfu...
010
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Reasons you should be getting BeeMail: -> Algorithms hide our posts. You're probably missing stuff. -> Free, practical, bee guidance timed to the season. -> No clutter. Just tips, how-tos, and research updates. -> Dispatches from Dave's desk and science from Kellie. crownbees.com/pages/beemail
crownbees.com
BeeMail Newsletter | Crown Bees
Stay connected with the world of native bees! BeeMail delivers timely tips, seasonal advice, and updates on sustainable bee-raising practices to your inbox.
010
Reposted by Crown Bees
American Rivers @americanrivers.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
2026 River Madness is officially here! Which of these four rivers will reign supreme? 🌊🏆 That's up to you! Two rivers will be moving on to the final starting March 26. Make your first round pick in the comments below! Let the madness begin! 💥 ⬇️
131
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Already seeing summer temps? Summer Leaf Bees ship free via FedEx 2-day, available a month early this April. Buy One Set (200 cocoons), Get the 2nd 50% off with Free 2-day FedEx shipping. Your squash, beans, and tomatoes will thank you. crownbees.com/products/sum...
010
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Happy 1st Day of Spring!
010
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Not sure what to do at what time of the year with your Mason bees? Sign up for BeeMail! Sent twice monthly. crownbees.com/pages/beemail
crownbees.com
BeeMail Newsletter | Crown Bees
Stay connected with the world of native bees! BeeMail delivers timely tips, seasonal advice, and updates on sustainable bee-raising practices to your inbox.
000
Reposted by Crown Bees
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations @fao.org · 19/03/2026
🌳 Congratulations to the winners of the International Day of Forests 2026 photo contest! 🌍 We received 530 entries from across 87 countries showcasing how forests contribute to economic prosperity worldwide. Read more 👉 bit.ly/3NNcqx5 #ForestDay #WorldWaterDay
062
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Join local beekeepers, gardeners, and native plant experts in a conversation about turning your own backyard into a native ecosystem oasis. Live in Seattle or via livestream! townhallseattle.org/event/rewild...
townhallseattle.org
ReWilding Seattle Gardens | Town Hall Seattle
Join local beekeepers, gardeners, and native plant experts in a conversation about turning your own backyard into a native ecosystem oasis. Learn about the benefits of mason bees, the importance of be...
111
Crown Bees @crown-bees.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Summer Leaf bees now ship in April. Community members in warmer states have asked for the last few years to open our shipping early, so we did! And they're Buy One Set (200ct), Get the 2nd Set 50% Off! youtube.com/shorts/EJ6-P...
youtube.com
Summer Leaf Bees Now Ship in April!
YouTube video by Crown Bees - The Solitary Bee Specialists
011