Mason Bee FAQs for Kids

We're sure you have many questions about Insect Lore's exciting new bee friends! Mason bees are quite different from the bumblebees or honeybees you are familiar with. In fact, you'll be fascinated to learn about the secrets of these remarkable insects! In this article, you'll learn about where they live, how they form a community, and much much more!

1. Do Mason Bees Sting?

Mason bees are very passive and non-aggressive compared to other bee species. Females only sting when absolutely necessary, and male mason bees have no stinger at all! Since they don't have a queen to defend or a hive to protect, mason bees are much less likely to sting, and even if they do, their sting is not very painful. Even among beekeepers who handle them regularly, stings from mason bees are incredibly rare. They're much more focused on foraging for pollen and nectar to feed their larvae than on interacting with humans or other animals. 

2. Do Mason Bees Make Honey?

No, Mason Bees do not make honey! They also do not live in colonies and do not have a Queen!  In general, mason bees are solitary bees. As they live on their own, they do not need to find and store food for their colony, queen, or future generations of bees, so they have no need to make honey! Instead, they focus on pollinating the world around them. Mason bees are even more effective pollinators than honeybees or bumblebees! 

3. How Long Do Mason Bees Live?

The life of a peaceful mason bee usually lasts around 6 weeks. This is the average lifespan for most bee species, aside from queen bees. Their life cycle begins when they emerge as adults in the spring. Once they emerge, they focus on mating and laying eggs in nesting sites, usually in hollow stems or cavities, where they gather pollen and nectar for their offspring. After completing their reproductive duties, the adult mason bees die. Their offspring then spend the majority of their lives in the nest as larvae, eating the stored pollen and nectar until they pupate and emerge as adults in the following spring. 

4. Are Mason Bees Friendly? 

Mason bees are some of the friendliest bees you could ever encounter! As stated above, they do not have a queen or hive to protect, so they rarely use their stingers unless they feel especially trapped or threatened. They are small, gentle, and unaggressive bees.

5. What do Mason Bees eat?

Mason bees love to feed on pollen, nectar and honey!  As they forage, they collect pollen on their bodies and transport it back to their nests to provide food for their larvae. The nectar, which is a sugary substance produced by flowers, serves as an energy source for the bees. Pollen, rich in proteins, is essential for the growth and development of their young. During the pollination process, mason bees help to fertilize plants, ensuring the reproduction of many types of flowers, fruit trees, and crops, benefiting both the bees and the greater ecosystem.

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