Bee Water Sources

[Kristina Tucker]

Unfortunately, my bees are being a nuisance at the neighbor's pool. They are being kind about it.

I have several water sources (bird bath with stones, mason jar overturned, kiddie pool, bucket with foam floats). Just today, I added 2 sources and bated them with lemongrass oil and salt. In the past, the bees have not been interested in my sources, perhaps due to my small quarter-acre property.

The neighbor is willing to give me pool water if necessary.

Does anyone have any suggestions for water sources the bees actually like? Would it be worth it to set up a fountain? 

Thanks,

Kristina

[Charlie Garrott]

Sorry for very late reply!

I have some plastic pans with gravel in them about 20 feet in front of the hives. I have to refill them 2 or 3 times a day depending on the temperature. There are always bees in there.

We have a kiddy splash pool in our pasture. We get lots of bees sharing the pool with our alpacas.

My neighbors tell me they get our bees at their bird baths.

On very hot days (above 90), I put golf umbrellas out to shade the hives. I zip tie the umbrella to a shovel and put the shovel in the ground in a good position to keep direct sun off the hives. I feel that that helps them keep it a little cooler and reduce the need to get so much water. Absolutely no scientific proof that this does any good, but it feels like the right thing to do!

Let me know if you want some pictures.

Charlie

[Nathan Allan]

The trick seems to be to have the "best" source first. Once they find something reliable they tend to go back to it. So having a stable spot that doesn't move or run out is part of the "trick".

[Jester Purtteman]

I have a timer setup that runs to one of those misting hoses.  One of those little perferated 25 foot things they sell at the hardware store does the trick nicely.  I set it to run for 15 minutes, 4 times a day, and I have this section of flowers and weeds (okay fine, mostly weeds, but some flowers!) that stay nice and wet.  When its hot out this little spot is as loud as my hives.  This will draw slugs and yellow jackets too, but my bees have water and the bumbles love it too so I like the trade off.  Besides, the yellow jackets and other fellas with bad reputations dont get testy if you leave them alone, they're too busy getting a drink.

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