[dsukup1]

Do bees need a source of salt close to the hive? I currently have water for them.

 

[kenargo]

Bees need salt and will benefit from it being available. Some people, myself included add salt to their water at opportunistic times; but not too much.

 

[Riverderwent]

"Do bees need a source of salt close to the hive? I currently have water for them."
My bees seem to like salt water. I would not overdo it.

 

[drlonzo]

Bees and all living creatures NEED salt. Sometimes they can get it on their own, sometimes not. Some people put out dry salt in a plate or pan for bees, others put it into water. Myself, I tend to give them a dry "salt lick" as well as putting it into the sugar syrup when I have to feed them. I normally boil water to help disolve sugar in the syrup so I add about a teaspoon full to about 1.5 gal of water to help it boil faster. The bees tend to suck it down pretty fast and use it.