Before You Buy
What if I’m allergic to bees?
Are leafcutter bees aggressive?
What's the difference between honey bees and leafcutter bees?
Honey bees are a social bee species that reside in hives, work in a group, and are managed by a Queen bee. These bees are important pollinators, but honey production is their specialty.
Leafcutter bees are a solitary variety, which means they work and nest independently. Their main role is to provide fast pollination to plants and flowers. Leafcutters are actually known as “super pollinators,” as they pollinate 20 times faster than honey bees!
They can pollinate quickly because they carry pollen in a fuzzy brush on their abdomen (called scopa). When they go in between flowers, the pollen is easily brushed off and spreads throughout the garden.
What temperature are leafcutter bees comfortable in?
How many bees are in the box? Approximately how many survive the hatching?
Why do they cut leaves?
Does the bee box come with the Queen bee?
How many houses should I order?
The number of houses you order is based on the size of your balcony, yard, or property. As a rule of thumb:
- Urban backyards or condo patios: 1 Bee House
- Large suburban yards/ properties under 1 acre: 2 Bee Houses
- 1 acre or more: 3 Bee Houses
Do leafcutter bees make honey?
Order, Shipping, Refund Policies
What if I have to cancel my order?
To cancel your order, please contact us via [email protected]. We will assist you as best as possible.
What is the return policy?
We do not accept returns, but we’re committed to your success! If your order arrives damaged or has an issue, email us at [email protected] within 14 days of delivery, with the following information:
1) A brief description of the issue
2) Photos of any damage or product concerns
We’ll work with you on a replacement and help troubleshoot any challenges along the way.
Please note: Refunds are issued on a case-by-case basis, and a small fee may be kept to cover credit card processing costs.
Where do you ship?
Kind Bee Farms ships across Canada and the United States (excluding Hawaii).
US orders are sent through USPS with a flat fee of $15.00. Canadian orders are shipped through Canada Post with changing rates according to the destination.
All orders are sent on a Monday unless there is a holiday and the postal system is closed; in that case, all orders will be shipped on Tuesday. Our shipping typically takes 3-5 business days.
When should I order my bee kit?
Ordering too early can affect hatching rates, so keep an eye on your local weather. If you need to adjust your shipping date, just email us at least 1 week before your shipping date via hello@kindbeefarms with your order number, name and email address on the order, and your new desired shipping date.
Why do I have to choose a shipping date?
Our products are packaged weekly based on the number of orders we receive, and each shipment is carefully timed to arrive in the middle of the leafcutter bee cocoons’ hatching cycle. Choosing a shipping date ensures your bees arrive healthy and ready to start pollinating your yard right away.
What if I am moving and my address changed?
To request a change of address, email [email protected] with your order number, name and email address on the order, and your new shipping address. Please send in this request as soon as possible to avoid the order being sent to your previous address.
What if the weather is bad in my region at time of shipping?
Poor weather conditions (like cold temperatures, extreme wind, or storms) can affect hatching rates, so keep an eye on your local weather. If you need to adjust your shipping date, just email us at least 1 week before your shipping date via hello@kindbeefarms with your order number, name and email address on the order, and your new desired shipping date.
Please note: Our team monitors our upcoming orders regularly, and if we see that your region is likely to experience poor conditions at time of shipping, we reserve the right to reschedule your delivery. If your order is affected, you will get an email notifying you of your new shipping date.
Are the bees safe during transport?
Yes! We ship our leafcutter bees while they’re still in their cocoons, before they’ve hatched. Deliveries are carefully timed to arrive in the middle of the hatching cycle, so most bees won’t emerge until a few weeks after arrival. Occasionally, a few may hatch early, but they’re perfectly safe. Our shipping boxes are breathable and secure, keeping your bees healthy during transport.
Getting Started
How do I set up the bee house?
The bee house can be mounted using the hook on the back, or placed on a sturdy surface. We recommend choosing a spot nearby your garden with plenty of sunlight, preferably in an area where the bees won’t be disturbed by pests or bad weather.
Avoid mounting the house on a tree or directly on the ground to prevent pest problems.
For more tips on setting up your bee house, check out this blog!
Bonus Tip: Keep the original shipping box! It’s the perfect place to store your house and nesting tubes when it’s time to bring them in for winter.
How long will my bees take to hatch?
Leafcutter bees typically take about 23 days to fully hatch in a temperature-controlled environment, but this timeline may be longer in more natural conditions, like your backyard.
Our cocoons are shipped in the middle of their hatching cycle, so most bees should hatch within a few weeks of delivery with consistent temperatures of at least 70°F (20°C).
If you have not noticed any hatching activity more than 2 weeks after receiving your order, contact us via [email protected] and our team will be happy to help.
Why are my bees not hatching?
Hatching takes a lot of patience and care! It’s not uncommon for the bees to take several weeks to fully hatch.
Temperature plays a large role in your bees’ hatching cycle. Ideal hatching temperatures are around 70°F (20°C), and you want to ensure there is as little temperature fluctuation as possible. This includes day and night temperatures. If it’s too cold, the bees may take longer to fully hatch. When placing an order, make sure you choose a date when you will have consistently warm weather for the bees.
If you have not noticed any hatching activity more than 2 weeks after receiving your order, contact us via [email protected] and our team will be happy to help.
How can I make sure the leafcutter bees don't fly away?
It’s important to have fully bloomed flowers ready by the time you release your bees, as they will be hungry and eager to get right to work! We recommend placing your bee home within 300 ft of your garden.
Leafcutter bees are low-flying pollinators that prefer garden beds, bushes, shrubs, and short trees. They would much rather spend their day buzzing around a flower bed than traveling far distances. As long as your garden is full of flowers to feed on and leaves to cut, your bees should stay close by.
What should I do if there are parasites in the cocoons?
Parasites are common in leafcutter bees. They look like small black bugs crawling around the cocoons.
To eliminate them, get a small lid (like from a water bottle) and fill it with water and put a couple drops of green dish soap (ex. Palmolive). They will be attracted to the soap mixture. You can also squish them if you see them.
What do I do with the empty cocoon box?
Once your bees have fully hatched, the orange cocoon box can be composted, typically around 2-3 weeks after you released the bees. If you also hatched bees from last year’s nesting tubes, the empty nesting tube box can also be composted. It is not advised to reuse nesting tubes as moisture and other weather conditions can sometimes create bacteria and mold in the tubes, which can sometimes cause disease. We want to ensure this doesn’t spread, so we recommend ordering a Replacement Bee Kit each season to start with a fresh nesting tube box for your bees!
During the Season
What should I plant for leafcutter bees?
Leafcutter bees fly low to the ground, so make sure to plant some flowers that they can reach easily. If you include low-growing plants in your garden, your kind bees will be more likely to visit tall and climbing plants.
Some flowers you can plant include marigolds, nasturtiums, bee balm, chamomile, and roses. They also enjoy low-growing fruits and vegetables like blueberries, raspberries, beans, peppers, and tomatoes.
Will I see my bees if it is cool and cloudy outside?
Leafcutter bees thrive in the heat and warm sun, so they will usually disappear into or near their nests on cloudy, cool days. You will likely see a few of them relaxing outside the Bee House on gloomy days while they wait for the sun to return!
What if I have a problem with ants near my Bee House?
If you notice ants crawling up to get your bees, you can deter them by sprinkling cinnamon or cloves around the perimeter of the Bee House. If the problem persists, try moving your Bee House to a different location in your yard.
Other pests can be removed by hand or with non-toxic pest control oils. Caution: Research pest control oils before use to ensure the one you select is safe for leafcutter bees.
What if critters are knocking my home over or eating cocoons?
If critters and pets are reaching your Bee House, you may need to move it to a different location. Keep it a safe distance from trees, dog houses, chicken coops, and other areas where animals and pests may be close by.
The house may also not be mounted far enough off the ground. If your Bee House is less than 4ft off the ground, re-mount it to exactly 4ft to make it harder for critters to reach.
How do I protect my bee house?
Our Bee Houses are made from sturdy, weather-resistant acacia wood that offers excellent protection for your bees. However, you can offer additional protection by doing the following:
- Mount it away from water sources like sprinkler systems to prevent your bee cocoons from being drenched.
- Make sure it’s mounted far enough off the ground (4ft) and away from dog houses, trees, and other areas where animals and pests can easily reach your cocoons.
- Paint it with a coat of weather-proof paint or stain. It is recommended to do this before releasing your bees and making sure the paint is fully dry before releasing the bees.
What do I do with the nesting tubes once they're filled?
If all of your nesting tubes fill up before the end of the growing season, you can order a new set of nesting tubes and place the full ones in a safe area of your garden until the end of the season.
End of Season Care
What do I do with the house & nesting tubes at the end of summer?
Your Bee House and nesting tubes are safe to keep outdoors throughout the fall. Once the first frost arrives, it’s time to bring them indoors! Keep the nesting tubes inside the Bee House, and store them in a cool, dry area of your home, garage, or shed.
Keep the cocoons away from moisture and heaters so that they don’t get damaged or hatch too early. We recommend storing them in their cardboard shipping box for extra protection!
Do I take the cocoons out of the nesting tubes?
Do not remove the cocoons from the nesting tubes, as they help keep the cocoons safe and secure throughout the winter.
What do I do with the cocoons next spring?
Once temperatures reach 70°F (20°C), you can start hatching your cocoons from the previous summer. Follow these steps:
- Start the hatch indoors to prevent any temperature fluctuations. Maintain a consistent indoor temperature of 70°F (20°C).
- Order our Replacement Bee and Nesting Tube Kit
- Re-mount the Bee House
- Once outdoor temperatures are consistent, place the old nesting tubes and cocoons next to your Bee House and wait patiently for them to finish hatching. This can take up to 3+ weeks.
- Release your replacement bees
- Watch your leafcutter bees hard at work!
How many bee cocoons will hatch next winter?
If your bees are kept in a safe, cool, and dry area, and you follow our hatching process, most of your bees should hatch next summer! However, sometimes nature takes its course, causing some cocoons to stay dormant.
Fun Facts
Where did leafcutter bees originally come from?
Leafcutter bees originated from Europe, but were introduced to other parts of the world (like North America) in the 1930s, primarily to pollinate alfalfa, a great source of protein in our food supply!
Since then, they’ve become a naturalized species across North America and are now recognized as some of the most efficient pollinators we have.
Why are the bees coming from Canada?
Our bees come from Canada, where the owners of Kind Bee Farms are based!
More importantly, the Canadian climate (especially in Saskatchewan) is ideal for raising healthy leafcutter bees. They thrive in our warm summers, and our cold winters are ideal for keeping the cocoons dormant until the following spring.
Why don’t my bees fly at night?
The bees work when the sun shines! They are especially early risers. You will find them hard at work when the sun rises, and tucked inside their nesting tubes once the sun starts to set. Leafcutter bees work hard during the day, cutting and carrying leaves to prepare the nesting tubes for their babies.
How do I identify a male vs. female bee?
Males have large green eyes and smaller, lighter bodies, while females have black eyes, slightly bigger bodies, and fuzzy bellies (scopa) for collecting pollen.
Females are also the ones flying into tubes to build nests and lay eggs. The females live up to 60 days, while males live only about 10-14 days.
How do leafcutter bees pollinate?
Leafcutter bees get their nickname “Super Pollinators” from the unique way they spread pollen. Their bellies are fuzzy with hairs called “scopa” which act like Velcro to pollen, easily collecting pollen and spreading it around as they brush up against the flower.