How to Manage the Blue Orchard Bee As an Orchard Pollinator (Sustainable Agriculture Network Handbook Series). This item is unavailable.How to Manage the Blue Orchard Bee As an Orchard Pollinator (Sustainable Agriculture Network Handbook Series)

In recent years, the blue orchard bee (BOB) has become established as an alternative orchard pollinator in North America. With a strong preference for fruit trees, BOBs are highly efficient pollinators; in fact, just 250-300 females will pollinate an entire acre of apples or almonds. BOBs forage and pollinate under cloudy skies and at lower temperatures than most other bees. They are easy to manage and rarely sting.

To learn how to manage BOBs for successful orchard pollination, consult this guide from the USDA-ARS Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory. Learn about: BOB natural history

Building nesting materials Rearing and wintering populations Field management for maximum pollination Deterring parasites and predators

"...a much needed book that will be valued by both fruit tree growers and bee biologists around the world." -- Richard W. Rust- University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada

"...the blue orchard bee makes a difference. I obtain a crop in years when my neighbors do not harvest." -- Alvin Hamson, apple grower, North Logan, Utah

"Blue orchard bees are exceptionally easy to use. I see yields three times greater than what I was getting before." -- Chet Kendell- Cherry grower, North Ogden, Utah

"In years with bad weather during bloom, the blue orchard bee makes a big difference." -- Alvin Hamson- Apple grower, North Logan, Utah

"Since using blue orchard bees, I see yields three times greater than what I was getting before." -- Chet Kendell, cherry grower, North Ogden, Utah.