Honeybees are the preferred pollinator for most fruit crops because they have high populations. Thorough honeybee pollination requires warm, sunny weather.

 

Honeybee colonies consist of a minimum 5 frames of brood in all stages out of a minimum of 8 total frames of bees, disease & pest free, with a healthy laying queen. The Honeybee population will consist of roughly 5,000 foraging bees per colony. Honeybees are supplied in groups of 4 colonies and a contract is required.

Mason orchard bees are solitary bees that fly on cloudy, cool days. They are an exceptionally efficient pollinator and are able to visit many blossoms per day. Mason bees are solitary and are sold in groups of 100 cocoons. Bees hatch within 4 days of installation. Installation costs are extra.

Bumblebees are the most effective pollinators because they fly from early light until almost dark, and they fly during poor weather. They have long ‘tongues’ and are able to gather nectar and pollen from deep flowers like tomato. Unfortunately, bumblebee populations are not nearly as high as honeybee populations and therefore are used primarily for vegetable pollination. Bumblebees are supplied in a cardboard nesting box with a population of approximately 80 foragers. The nest will, however, grow to about 250 foragers and last the entire summer. Bumblebee nests naturally die off in late fall. Installation costs are extra.