Orchard Mason Bee cocoons from Knox Cellars Mason Bees arrive in a small cardboard box with 9 female and 16 male bees. They are ready to be placed outside in an Orchard Mason Bee shelter Spring, when temperatures reach 49 - 55 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 5 days. The cocoons should be stored at temperatures approximately 38°F 42°F until they are placed outdoors. These are loose cocoons. They have been cleaned, inspected, sorted and have a fully formed Orchard Mason Bee inside. If you will be storing your cocoons in a refrigerator, you may want to consider purchasing the Bee Safe Humidity Box to help maintain proper humidity for the cocoons until they are placed outside. Cocoons are sent between mid October and April due to the OMB life cycle. As tempters increase in late winter and early spring OMB may emerge during shipment. Please, oder early as we can not control shipping or temperatures