Did you know that honey bees often use residential ponds and streams as a source of water? These industrious insects transport water back to their hives to share with the colony. A healthy bee hive can use over a quart of water each day! I read that 800 worker bees might make 50 trips daily to gather water. Is your water feature a bee friendly pond?
Honey bees need very shallow water to safely drink. Did you know they use water to evaporate at the hive for cooling? They do! They also drink it and use it to make honey.
Why are Honey Bees Attracted to a Pond Cleaning?
Have you ever noticed that while your pond is being cleaned out that bees seem to be drawn to it? There are a couple reasons for this. When the pond is drained, the full delicious aroma of the pond muck really fills the air! Bees smell this and know it is a water source.
While the pond is near empty, it creates tiny pockets of water between rocks, creating the perfect space for them to gather water. That is why you may see a lot of bees during a cleanout. They are hard at work and will not bother you unless you bother them!
The Bee Friendly Drinking Pond
With a quart of water to gather a day, Your pond might not be the safest watering hole for them. Honey bees can easily fall into the water and struggle to get out. That’s why they prefer shallow water coming up through gravel, so they can drink safely without the risk of drowning.
If you want to create a safe – bee friendly pond – create a drinking spot for them. You only need a small area, about the size of your hand. Fill it with 3/4″ gravel, (smaller than golf balls), so that only small cracks remain filled with water. This setup provides bees with secure footing, making it easier for them to drink without falling in.
In this photo you can see bees getting their water by reaching out from a rock. They do better with standing water filled with gravel, marbles or plants. Do you see the bee in the bottom right of the photo? He is likely drowning.
Plants - one way to help the bees get water
Vining or floating plants can also be a help to bees as they get a drink.
Water hyacinth, water lettuce or plants that grow in the water but reach out to the surface can be a good place for bees to grab a drink.
If you see a wasp floating on the water, it’s likely just drinking—wasps can spread their legs and float. But if you spot a honey bee on the water, it’s probably drowning. Use a net, stick, leaf, or any available tool to rescue it.
If you want to read more about honey bees and water collection, Click HERE to read information from Better Bee.
Water lettuce makes for a good place to get a drink – if you’re a honey bee!