Water for Bees

Pinterest Hidden Image

We often see bees collecting nectar and pollen from blooming flowers. But, there is another important resource they need: safe drinking water for bees. Whether you are a beekeeper, gardener or just a bee-lover – you can provide a safe clean water source for honey bees and other pollinators. Bees need water all season long. But, it is especially important in hot weather. Here, I will share some easy ways to help thirsty bees.

Honey bees collecting water from floating wood in a tub.

A water source for their beehives should be a top consideration for any beekeeper during setting up the bee yard. Likewise, the gardener striving to create a bee oasis need to consider adding a water feature in the design.

Bee Water Needs and Challenges

As most living things, bees need water for hydration. Honey bees rely on water to cool the hive during hot weather and to maintain the proper humidity level for developing young.

Water is not stored in the beehive – it must be collected as needed. This presents some serious challenges.

Bees must compete with other wildlife, including birds, insects, and mammals, for access to water sources such as puddles, streams, and ponds.

Distance plays a role too. Honey bees travel long distances to collect needed resources. The farther the bee must fly for water – the less time and energy they have for other tasks.

Also, contamination is a risk. Human activities introduce pollutants and contaminants into water sources that may pose a risk to bee health.

Many honey bees drinking water from concrete basin.

Good Water Source For Bees

Beekeepers develop some ingenious ways to provide bees with drinking water. Thankfully, many of these ideas work well for the homeowner or gardener who wants to help save important bees and pollinators.

2 Major Considerations

There are 2 things you must keep in mind when creating a water source:

  • provide safe places to drink – honey bees are notorious for drowning
  • the water source should be consistent – holding water most of the time

Prevent Drowning Bees

Honey bees can do many miraculous things. Unfortunately, one thing they do well is drown – especially if the water is cool.

Honey bees do not have lungs – their respiratory system is different. If they fall into the water, they can close the spiracles (ports where air enters the body) but this is only effective for a short time. Eventually they will die.

Create safe places for visiting bees to drink. Include shallow areas where they can sip water without falling in.

Rocks, sand or pebbles along the waters edge are a good option. Concrete tubs often have rough surfaces for bees to grab.

Vegetation such as water lily pads are also a good choice. If using open buckets of water – place some small pieces of wood that float.

Honey bee drinking water from multiple sources.

Dependable Bee Water Sources

Consistency is crucial – especially for beekeepers with beehives. Small water sources are easy to create but they require a lot more maintenance. It takes some discipline to remember to check any small water source – every day or twice a day.

The same problems applies to small fountains, buckets, etc. When hot weather arrives and when water is even more important, will you be able to remember to refill?

Creating Bee Friendly Water Sources

Here are some of my favorite ways to give water to bees. Some are quick and simple – well suited for a small garden project. Others are larger enough to fit the needs of a backyard beekeeper.

  • create a small water garden
  • shallow bird bath with pebbles or rock
  • plastic tubs or buckets with floating material
  • spouted bucket or barrel with drip
  • water feeders for bees
  • small water features for gardens
Pink water lily in pond water for bees image.

Water Gardens or Small Ponds

My favorite way to provide drinking water for bees is with a water garden. I love mine and have had them for many years – even before I had honey bees. This is something almost any homeowner or homesteader can do.

A small pond of 100-200 gallons in size provides a lot of water. You still need to manage the water level but it is a weekly chore rather than daily.

As an added benefit, plant choice flowers for honey bees around the pond area. Remember to include a shallow place for the bees to drink without fear of drowning.

A small pool with some plants and a few goldfish can be an educational and entertaining addition to any backyard. You could even jump in if you don’t mind swimming with the frogs and fishes.

Bird Baths

Bird baths can be a good water source for bees. But, be prepared for a lot of visiting bees during hot weather – if you have beehives on your property.

The old concrete types have rougher surfaces for bees to grip. The new plastic models need some rock placed just inside the basin for bee safety.

Tubs and Buckets

If you have a medium sized plastic tub or even a 5 gallon bucket, these work well for watering bees. You will need some floating material to prevent drowning.

Popular materials are: small pieces of wood, packing peanuts, slices of those pool noodles, floating baffles that fit inside (a bucket lid with the rim cut off and some holes drilled in the flat lid material.)

Honey bees gathering water from a hose fitting and a natural source.

Water Dripping from Spout

In “out-yards” where beekeepers have hives with no access to a faucet. They may fill a large bucket or barrel with water and attach a faucet. The faucet is opened just enough to cause a slow drip.

It will take many days for the barrel to empty. The beekeeper will refill it before it is empty. Now, the hives in a remote area have a safe drinking source.

bee gather water from beekeeper devices near apiary.

Water Feeders for Bees

You can buy water feeders for bees – but then you can buy just about anything if you have the money. A poultry waterer works well for bee water.

Beekeepers can use mason jar feeders for water instead of sugar water. A vast improvement if you plan to hang them on the front of the hive. Just fill the jars with water and refill as needed.

Small Garden Water Features

For the gardener, several small water features can provide pollinators with water. These units do not hold very much and should be check daily.

One simple option is this clay pot bee watering station. It is small but refilling daily in a shady part of the yard is not too hard. It can also be a pretty addition to your garden decor.

Another small project – this jeweled saucer bee waterer can provide some hydration for insects. And, it is a good opportunity to teach kids about the importance of bees. It is so simple even the youngest can participate with supervision.

Water for Neighborhood Bees

Beekeepers living in crowded neighborhoods have special concerns. One of the best reasons to provide bees with drinking water – your neighbor has a swimming pool ! And yes, they like salt water pools even better.

Be a good neighbor, set up nearby water sources before your bees arrive and try to keep your bees out of their swimming pool. Bees will sometimes visit the outside dog water bowls or fountains of close neighbors. Make it so they don’t have to do this.

Safe Water for City Bees

For urban beekeepers, a natural water supply may be more difficult for your bees to find. Runoff water is often contaminated with fertilizers and other lawn care products. Keep them near home for water.

Foraging bees are less likely to come into contact with contamination by pesticides or other chemicals if they stay in your yard. A consistent water source with a safe place to drink is especially important in warm months.

Worker bees collecting water from safe sources.

FAQs

Why do bees need water?

Bees need water for hydration. Honey bees also use water for several uses in the hive – including cool the inside on hot summer days.

Do bees drink water?

Yes, bees and wasps do drink water. In the case of honey bees, they collect water and take it back to the hive.

Should I put out water for bees?

Yes, there is not reason no to help a thirsty bee. This is especially true if you live in areas without a lot of natural water sources.

How can you prevent bees from drowning in water?

Place safe landing spots for bees to collect water. Rocks, pebbles or floating materials are perfect.

What type of water do bees drink?

Honestly, bees like dirty water. They will sometimes choose a mud puddle or ditch over a provided source. Don’t worry over much about algae or other natural substances in your bees drinking water.

Can bees drink pool water?

Bees can and do drink pool water. They love chlorine and seem to especially like salt water pools or hot tubs. In spite of the chemicals in pool water, there is little danger in it harming your bees. Much of the water in the hive is used for cooling etc anyway.

Final Thoughts

Providing clean drinking water for bees can be fun and beautiful. Both small and larger features contribute to good pollinator health. Healthy bees are productive bees.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

20 Comments

  1. Don setzco says:

    All this info but no definition of CLOSE. I have a 1/2 acre pond within 100 yards of bees. Will that satisfy them comfortably?

    1. Charlotte Anderson says:

      Close is a subjective term I guess. Would 100 yards work? Certainly so, I am sure they fly farther. Your situation should work as long as their is not another water source closer to their hive such as a swimming pool.

  2. Andrew Genualdi says:

    Charlotte,
    I have noticed the bee highway as they leave our bird bath. They are very interested in the garden hose, hoping for some remnants of water. A neighbor has active hives on their property.Are the honey bees more aggressive during this time?
    Thank you in advance.

    1. Charlotte Anderson says:

      Yes, they do make a “bee-line” between a water source and their hive – especially on hot days.

  3. Stephanie Diaz says:

    My bees seem to love drinking water with a spicy pepper sitting in the container. Is this normal?

    1. Charlotte Anderson says:

      Well, I don’t know if it is normal but it is interesting. LOL

  4. Mark Jacim says:

    Will bees drown if I just use a smooth plastic bowl for drinking water? I’m concerned about them slipping in and not being able to climb out due to the slick plastic.

    1. Beekeeper Charlotte says:

      They could. Add some floating material or stones to provide safe drinking spots and they will be more likely to use the source.

  5. I have a concrete tank with a float valve. Which way would be better to keep maintained, an aireator or goldfish?

    1. Beekeeper Charlotte says:

      Either way, adding plants and a couple of fish would look better long term.

  6. How close should the water source you provide be to the beehive?

    1. Beekeeper Charlotte says:

      As long as you do not have a swimming pool or water feature that you are keeping the bees away from – it does not have to be close. My water garden that the bees use is about 100 ft from the hives. However, during hot summer time there is a constant “bee highway” of traffic between the hives and the water garden. It’s okay to put water close to the hive if you want – but it is not required.

  7. How do you prevent the bees from taking over your bird baths?

    1. Beekeeper Charlotte says:

      They are thirsty. Give them a better place to drink. A small water garden etc with a shallow end .

  8. Tim Kaylor says:

    If you have an open water sources, how do you prevent mosquito infestations?

    1. Beekeeper Charlotte says:

      Hi Tim, If it is a smaller container-you can dump it out occasionally. I keep a couple of goldfish in my small water gardens. I have also used those mosquito dunks with no apparent problems.

  9. I was wondering if you have ever observed your bees fighting over a water source? We have an existing hive that we have had for a year and just got 2 more nucs 2 weeks ago. We have plenty of watering areas around the yard for the bees, 4 of them right in our bee yard. For the past few days bees have been fighting with each other over water. Occasionally one will fly around to each bee in the watering station and shoo them away and even attempt to drag them out. Is this normal behavior?

    1. Beekeeper Charlotte says:

      As a matter of fact I have noticed it occasionally . Just bossy bees.. LOL

  10. Walter Scott says:

    Hi Charlotte,

    Should salt or minerals be added to the water source?

    1. Beekeeper Charlotte says:

      Some beekeepers like to add a bit of salt ( or livestock salt to bee water). They feel it helps encourage the bees to revisit the water source. I’ve had friends that added a tablespoon of bleach! A little of either certainly would not hurt.