Pollination Consulting

Foothill Bee Ranch is operated by Steve Peterson, Ph.D. I have many years of experience managing blue orchard bees and alfalfa leafcutting bees in a diversity of crops such as almonds, cherries, plums, strawberries, alfalfa seed, carrot seed, onion seed and lettuce seed.


Managing solitary bees successfully is not difficult, but there are pitfalls that can easily be avoided. I can guide you through:

  • Wintering (timing, temperatures)
  • Planting pollinator hedgerows
  • Nesting station numbers and locations
  • Incubation
  • Release strategy
  • Summer management
  • Pre-wintering
  • Stripping and cleaning nests

Please email me at steve.peterson@foothillbee.com if you are getting started with solitary bees and have questions or concerns.


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