Water Source for bees--what finally worked for me

[eddieobees]

Here is a longer version with more pics: Water Source for Bees

I am a new urban beekeeper in a neighborhood and my neighbor has a pool . . . . .

Thus, it was pretty important to focus on a good water source for the bees (instead of their pool!). I bought a $5 cement mixing tub at Home Depot and placed some rocks and bricks in there . . .no visits . . over the next 3 weeks I tried a few different locations (close and farther away--no visits). I hear the pressure washer next door on the pool deck and know pool-time is getting closer (in Atlanta), thus it is time to do some research.

I found a few good ideas:

1. Place a towel across the exposed block/bricks for a"landing pad"
2. It seems the "dirtier" the water the better
3. Place no closer than 20 feet away
4. Bees need roughly about 5 gallons per year per hive
5. THE KEY FOR ME: was the suggestion to spray lemon scented Pledge on the ground around the tub (I assume lemongrass oil would work too).

I tried a lot of different things, but by FAR the single best suggestion was lemon scented Pledge.

Eddie O.

[Katharina]

Quail waterers work nicely too and bees do not drown in them either.

[Rader Sidetrack]

I put some floating scrap wood pieces in my water bucket. Some of those pieces have nail holes (nails have been removed) that seem to act like miniature watering holes. The water seeps up through the holes and the bees stand on the boards around the holes. Other boards that don't have the holes are not as popular.

[Foreststalker]

I put out a shallow dish with rocks near the hive and nothing. Going to try the Pledge and see what happens. My bees are probably getting water from my pond, the nearby lake or a stagnate pond in the garden.

[Ted adams]

I use dog auto watering bowl filed with rocks add a little bleach to water , bee don't seem to like fresh water, give it time to set, they will drink. To away for two weeks, no problem they have plenty of water

[NasalSponge]

Mine found the rain runoff creek behind my house right away and I am very grateful.

[Marshall]

If you take the big Maxwell House plastic coffee jugs and fill them up and turn it upside down the water will stop itself around the rim with enough room for the bees to suck it up all around the rim.