The mason bee
The mason bee is a solitary bee which can be seen between March or April, depending on the region and the climate, long before the appearance of the honeybee. Its fur is black and auburn, and it starts flying at the beginning of spring, in search of small holes in which to lay its eggs.
As soon as it finds a suitable place, like the ventilation hole of a window, its goes to and fro to gather soil which it uses to make a type of cement. With this cement it builds different compartments in which it installs its eggs and in which it stores nectar for its future larvae.
It is an inoffensive bee which is very useful for the vegetable or the flower garden, as it arrives well before the honeybee and the other pollen-gathering insects, and it pollinizes the first flowers of fruit trees. Unlike the honeybee, it doesn't stick pollen to its hind legs and doesn't make honey.
It is easy to install a hive for these helpful bees. Simply pierce holes 7mm. wide and 6mm; deep in a block of wood. Install this wood from the beginning of March high up in a sheltered area if possible.
A bunch of bamboo shoots or hollow reeds may also be used for this purpose.
If you do create a home for them, mason bees will soon be flying around and laying their eggs.