Comments on: DIY Providing Water for Bees

By: James

James — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 01:30:22 +0000

Got my bees interested by putting a tablespoon of sugar on one of the flat rocks in my birdbath. Yellowjackets also came and were so intent on the sugar that i could crush them with a finger tip. Bees ignored me.
I used to hose away algae, but the bees went away also. Turns out they work the algae for whatever .. trace minerals? They also seem to like a few grains of table salt. Go figure……

By: Patti

Patti — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 12:53:40 +0000

I wrapped a birdbath stand and within the basin with the mini drip soaker hose and small rocks. It is on an automatic system to fill every morning.
The gentle drops that form on the soaker hose holes provide the bees with a place to drink. Then I also place a few drops of lemongrass oil into the basin so they are attracted to this glean and refreshing source of water.

By: BeeFriend

BeeFriend — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 09:28:40 +0000

I don’t keep bees but they do come to my yard for water in droves in Summer.
I have several fish ponds & they love to land on Water Lettuce (Pistia Stratiotes) & Salvinia Molesta. They can drink safely & there is no mosquito problem with Goldfish.

I also keep a terracotta pot base with pea gravel & water.This ends up being a hassle because I end up having to refill it a couple of times a day but the bees favour it.

By: Seongyoung Kim

Seongyoung Kim — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 20:36:18 +0000

To beekeeping, you have to study a lot.
I will come back often to read and learn materials.

By: sofia Okolowicz

sofia Okolowicz — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 20:38:59 +0000

There are rings of mosquito killing larvae that float in the water, I am almost sure that it does not affect anything else, you can purchase them from places like the home depot garden center, please read instructions first to make sure.

By: Gene Rene'

Gene Rene' — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 12:59:37 +0000

Don’t forget to use a little lemon grass oil to get the bees to notice your water station when you first get it going. This will attract them to discover it, then they’ll tell their friends about it. Good news travels fast!

By: Antoni

Antoni — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 07:21:02 +0000

our bees seem to like getting their water from the moist soil in seedling flats around our greenhouse.
I tried a birdbath in front of hive, ignored, then filled it with peat moss after a few drowned in the BB, also ignored.
Also a dish with sand saturated with water, ignored.
Next will try filling the BB with soil and keeping it moist.
Bees avoid dark colors, so try materials light in color to be kept moist, without pooling water to avoid mosquito larvae.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 12:56:47 +0000

In reply to Trish. Hi, Trish. I was wondering if you have any info now as to a way to possibly help bees with the water situation but without bringing on the mosquito breeding as well. I see no one replied here, but I, too, am extremely interested in this. I read somewhere that if you have moving water it helps, but I really was hoping for a somewhat more frugal option. I'm hoping either you found an option I could use, or maybe someone else on here has an idea/tip. Thanks!!

By: Trish

Trish — Fri, 27 May 2016 00:51:10 +0000

We’re hearing a lot in the news right now about how the mosquitoes that carry Zika like to lay their eggs in tiny puddles of water, and other varieties lay their eggs in larger water sources. Is there a way to make the bees happy without encouraging the mosquitoes?

By: f.g.s. f.g.s.

f.g.s. f.g.s. — Thu, 26 May 2016 20:42:51 +0000

In reply to jerry brandt. a great nature space,,,a joy to watch, envy you in away,,,peace