The Town of Comox parks department has put up the mason bee nesting blocks for the season.

The Town of Comox parks department has put up the mason bee nesting blocks for the season.

Mason bees are a solitary bee species native to North America. They are important early-season pollinators and are among the first bee species to break dormancy in the spring, making them especially beneficial for fruit tree pollination such as apple, plum, and cherry trees. Mason bees are also one of the few bee species being managed for agricultural use.

The entire lifespan of a female mason bee is only six weeks, and its flight range is only 300 feet, so residents should have a good selection of early blooming flowers available in gardens before releasing bees.

Sadly, native bee populations are in decline but there are many ways residents can help. Reducing the use of pesticides, planting native plants, and leaving your garden cleanup until spring are all excellent ways to help our native pollinators.