Water Source

[Hambone]

How close does a water sourse need to be? I have 3 ponds within a +/- 1/4-3/8 mile from my hive. Is that close enough?

[Ravenseye]

They'll go that far. I put a chicken waterer next to the hives with corks floating around the edge. They use that most of the time but sometimes fly clear to the other side of the property, around the back of the house, just to use the bird bath.

[Swobee]

Your bees are lucky to have a nice water source that close, so long as someone doesn't attempt to control insects and weeds using diesel nearby the ponds. The closer the better. We are fortunate in that most of our hives are near creeks and streams.

[Keith Benson]

If that doesn't work, just have a neighbor put in a pool. Guaranteed to get their attention . . .

[Ravenseye]

My neighbors pool is what made me put the chicken waterer so close!

[beemanlee]

Derek1,
Keep you bee water source some where in your yard if you have bees in and around people. Your neighbors will like you better if you can keep the bees from their pools, which is very hard. I use a old door pulled from a old refregerator. Its plastic and has molded storage shelves, that works like a waterfall when the door is placed at a 30 deg angle. I fill it up in the morning befor I go to work. It keeps the bees in water for most of the day...
Lee...