Welcome to Osmia.com, a new website created to highlight the best management techniques for blue orchard bee propagation. The information presented here has been condensed from fifteen years of experience working with blue orchard bees (Osmia lignaria) in fruit tree orchards. Bees and nesting supplies are also offered.

     There are many places on the internet to learn about the life histories of blue orchard bees and the benefits of their pollination. Rather than duplicate a lot of information that is readily available, we will focus here on the finer points of Osmia management, such as optimizing female bee efficiency. A complete instruction guide that describes each step in setting up and taking care of a population of blue orchard bees will be added soon.

     The supply of early-chilled bees conditioned to emerge in areas that blossom in February (California and other mild regions) is sold out for 2008.

     Several thousand tubes of over wintering Osmia californica are available. These summer bees pollinate wildflowers in the family Asteraceae. E-mail or phone for details.

     The website of the USDA Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory at www.loganbeelab.usu.edu/ is highly recommended since this is where it all began.

     Thanks for stopping by.

     Dale Nielson