Water for the Bees Trying a New Thing

[blueblood]

So, I'm trying something new to keep my bees watered. It may fail, it may not. Maybe some tweaking? We shall see. Gravity fed sweat hose. Rain and myself will film the barrel. I may have to put a screen on top of they start drinking from inside the barrel. I am trying to stave off their usual habit of drinking from our swimming pool.


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[LazyBkpr]

I assume the plan is for them to get water from the hose itself and not from the tub the hose is in?   If so, interesting idea, cant wait to see if it works!

[Perry]

Any time I've tried to "supply" water it was ignored, and I have no idea why.

[Bakersdozen]

The school desk might be a problem if you get a lot of rain.  Those legs may sink into the ground.  That's a clever idea and I hope to hear a progress report.  Great idea for a remote location.  Will you be keeping the skeeters out?

[apisbees]

Screen on top or a board floating on the water as l landing pad.

[LazyBkpr]

Hrm, I think Blue is ignoring us..    :\'(

[blueblood]

Hrm, I think Blue is ignoring us..    :\'(

Ha! No way.  Just lost track of the post I think.  I used the desk because it was the closest stand in arms reach.  I plan on building a support out of 4x4 treated lumber.  My brainstorming on the drip hose was for slow release and a foothold for the bees.  The water has slowly rose but the hose floats a bit.  I am happy to see bees using it.  They are staying away from my pool.  That is a victory.

[LazyBkpr]

ok, so the hose IS in water, but, provides that water, as well as a safe place to land for the bees to GET the water...   wow, thats ALMOST too complex for my remaining brain cell!   Get a Pic for me if you can, preferably with bees!! I want to use it on my site!! With your permission of course! 

[riverbee]

lol blue, i think they will be back at your swimming pool!............

bees like junky water and swimming pools.....why?

bees like the junkiest water they can find,  gutters, mud holes, rivers, rain mud puddles, the dirt in the garden, etc...... or swimming pools. swimming pools have chemicals added to them.....a 'scent'........junky water has 'scent' of some sort for them.  the bees visit a source of water, go back to the hive and tell their sisters where it is and maybe give a sample of it.  foragers can communicate where it is but their sisters can't really find it without the passing of a 'scent sample'?.......   oh this is the stuff?  or the largest body of water with chlorine in it..........

call me nuts,  but i think i would throw some mud/dirt in there, or better yet a little lemongrass oil.............i have done this and found the bees will go to water with some lemongrass oil in it, but got to keep it sorta on the junky side. if they have a choice between clean water and your swimming pool, you may find some at your new watering hole, but my bet is still on your swimming pool .........

good luck with your experiment and looking forward to updates!