Are Your Leafcutter Bees Still Active?

September is here, which means it’s time to start thinking about returning your nesting blocks for fall harvest and cleaning. But what if your leafcutter bees are still flying and actively nesting?

If your leafcutter bees are still active, don’t take their nesting block down yet!

Leafcutter bees are warm-weather pollinators, and depending on where you live and your local temperatures, they may continue flying well into September.

Leafcutter Bees Still Flying?

If you still see leafcutter bees coming and going from your nesting block, leave the block in place and let them finish their nesting season.

For most areas, you can wait until the end of September to mail your leafcutter nesting block back to us.

If you live in a particularly warm climate, your leafcutter bees may continue flying even longer. That’s okay! You can wait until October, November, or whenever your bee activity has stopped before sending your nesting block back.

Watch your bees and your nighttime temperatures. Once nighttime temperatures begin dipping into the 50s, your leafcutter bees will likely be getting close to the end of their season.

What About Mason Bee Nesting Blocks?

Mason bees are different. Their nesting season ended months ago, and the developing bees have been safely growing inside their nesting chambers throughout the summer.

If you have a mason bee nesting block, please return it to us by the end of September for fall harvest and cleaning.

Not Sure What to Do?

The easiest answer is to watch your leafcutter bees. If they’re still flying and actively using the nesting block, leave it up. Once activity has stopped, it’s time to take the block down and prepare it for its trip back to Rent Mason Bees.

Still seeing leafcutter bees? Let them keep working!