Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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Mason Bee vs the European Honeybee. I have raised many bees in Sweden and Africa and am well aware of their ways. Honeybees have been used as pollinators in the US since the 1600's. Today, the bee loss is tremendous--up to 60 to 100%. Because they are non-native, they are succumbing to pesticides, Habitat loss, and mite infestations. Our native pollinators are affected, but holding on so far. There are 4000 US bee pollinators--1600 in California alone. The Honeybee is a terrible pollinator because Most of the pollen is deposited in the hive. Thus they do not pollinate efficiently. An alternative native bee is successfully being tried--the Mason Bee. This bee, also called the Blue Orchard Bee, simply belly flops onto a flower, Then, covered in pollen, it continues, generously pollinating. The Honeybee lives in large hives, allowing easy transportation for farmers. Mason Bees live in cavities or tubes--they make no honey, There is no queen bee nor workers--all females are queens. Because they build chambers in the tubes--thus the name Mason Bee. This bee rarely stings and all they need is water and a mud supply! Of course a constructed tube hive of some sort must also be provided. Frank Maurer 8 April 2025 1805 Hours.