There are some really simple and practical ways to create bee-safe water points on your property and keep bees from drowning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Do Bees Drown?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When bees land to drink, they may get their wings wet. If this happens, they can’t take off from the water as they are too waterlogged and heavy to get airborne<\/strong>. Their only option then is to flutter about on the surface of the water and search for some way to crawl out. If the sides of the water source are too slippery and steep, they will eventually become exhausted and drown. For this reason, swimming pools and buckets are particularly hazardous to bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like us, bees need water to sustain themselves. However, that is not the only reason they are so active around water on hot days. They also need to carry water back to the hive to cool it and help maintain the humidity inside the brood nest area, especially when it is very dry outside.<\/strong> By spreading water and flapping their wings, they are collectively able to keep the hive cool through evaporation. Bees need to collect water safely so that they can continue to perform this vital function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strangely, bees seem to prefer chlorinated water to clean water<\/strong>. They also love saltwater swimming pools and slightly dirty water, like ponds. It may be the strong smell of treated water over clean water, but whatever the reason, it can be a challenge to keep bees away from your pool \u2013 unless you provide some other more attractive bee-safe alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is simple to create safe water points for the bees in your area. There is no need to make any huge changes to existing bodies of water or buy anything. To make your existing pools and troughs bee-safe is simple, and some minor adaptations will save many little lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only is it dangerous for the bees themselves to land in your swimming pool, but it is also not ideal for humans to possibly get stung while swimming. Fortunately, the solution for both is simple. Any foam floatation device can be left in your pool while you are not using it.<\/strong> The foam-like material will provide traction for a waterlogged bee that needs to crawl out of deep water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A pool noodle<\/strong> is ideal for this and can be purchased very inexpensively at any Dollar Store. If left in the water, they will not dirty your pool and provide the perfect little life raft for stranded bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If there are bees around while you are swimming, the best to simply splash some water onto any solid area outside the pool<\/strong>. Although the water will evaporate quickly, it will be sufficient for bees to drink from while you are cooling off. Bees will often naturally congregate around any little puddles of pool water surrounding the pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The edges of a birdbath are often too steep and slippery for bees to crawl out from. Luckily the surface area of a birdbath is much less than a swimming pool, so if you provide any type of ‘bee ramp’, it is highly likely that the drowning bee will quickly locate it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n An easy way to make your birdbath bee-safe is to simply put a piece of driftwood or sloped pottery on one edge of the birdbath to create a ramp. Obviously, this should not inhibit birds from enjoying a splash in their spa and only needs to be on one side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another idea is to make the inside of your birdbath non-slip.<\/strong> That way, you can also make it extra colorful and an attractive feature in your garden. Be sure to ONLY use latex or acrylic paints for the inside of the basin area. Oil-based paint would be toxic for both your bird and bee visitors. Add a few handfuls of gritty sand to the color before you apply it, and voila, it will be much easier for bees to find their footing and get out after having a drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buckets are one of the most hazardous water sources for bees. Besides being steep, the sides are notoriously slippery, and a bee that lands in a bucket of water has a very slim chance of escape. Luckily there are some ways you can make these bee death traps less dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it is hot, and few other safe options are available, bees will often gather at the waterline on the sides of livestock troughs. This is extremely hazardous to them because if they fall in, there is no way out. Farmers are reluctant to put floats or anything loose into the water because their large animals may ingest them while drinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My solution to this challenge has been to create a thick lifeline rope<\/strong> tightly tied to the nearest secure object \u2013 for me, usually the fence pole next to the trough. The rope I use is recycled baling twine from feed bales used over winter. I plait multiple strands of twine together to form a thick, rough rope. Be sure to tie off the end of your plait so that it doesn’t fray loose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One end is secured to the fence post, and the other end dangles into the side of the trough. It shouldn’t be too long that a beast will mistake it for food and try to chew it off but should make contact with the surface of the water. Stranded bees buzz about on top of the water surface for a long time, and if they encounter the lifeline, they will be able to pull themselves out<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Any shallow dish of water where bees can land, refresh and then fly away are ideal. Some people use pie pans or plant trays<\/strong>. Any shallow dish that you have will be fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several things that you can add to your dish to make it perfect for bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You see a bee struggling frantically about on top of some water and want to save it. You should, but proceed carefully. Don’t ever try to rescue the struggling bee with your hands<\/strong>. Your natural reaction is to provide help as fast as possible, but the confused bee may perceive its sudden rescue as a threat, and you could get stung for your efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look around for something that you can use to lift the drowning bee out of the pool gently<\/strong>. A branch or even a large leaf will be perfect. It’s only the bee’s wings that are waterlogged. Its legs will gratefully grab onto any lifeline that it is offered. Once you have lifted the bee out of the water, place it in a sunny spot, and it will fly off as soon as its wings are dry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If it is too weak to fly or late in the day and the sun is fading, you can offer the near-drowning victim a few drops of sugar water.<\/strong> This will give it some energy to take off. If it is getting dark, you can place the bee in a well-ventilated box for the night and release it early the following day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each individual bee has a vital role to play in ensuring the survival of the entire hive. There are many things that we can do to prevent bees from drowning and help them thrive. Providing floatation devices on large bodies of water and specifically creating bee-safe drinking features goes a long way in protecting these busy little insects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.almostoffgrid.com\/blogs\/almost-off-grid\/providing-a-water-source-for-bees<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.buddhabeeapiary.com\/blog\/bee-watering-station<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n http:\/\/bees.huchicapital.com\/2019\/04\/01\/creating-the-best-water-source-for-your-bees\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.honeyflow.com\/blogs\/beekeeping-basics\/how-to-keep-bees-hydrated<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Do Bees Need Water?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Why Are There So Many Bees In My Swimming Pool?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is Bee-Safe Water?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How To Make Some Of The Most Hazardous Water Supplies Bee-Safe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Swimming Pools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bird Baths<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Buckets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Livestock Drinking Troughs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow To Provide Bee-Safe Water Sources<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
How To Save A Drowning Bee<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n