Creating a water source for bees

[Brad H.]

So my bees seem to have found my kids slip and slide as their main water source. I've also noticed they are quite fond of the kids swimming pool. Question is, can I give them a water source And will they use it? Say a bird bath or something in between their hives and my kids summer toys? Anyone ever run into this?

[hunt4it]

Jun 10, 2015 19:23:20 GMT -5 Brad H. said:

So my bees seem to have found my kids slip and slide as their main water source. I've also noticed they are quite fond of the kids swimming pool. Question is, can I give them a water source And will they use it? Say a bird bath or something in between their hives and my kids summer toys? Anyone ever run into this?

I don't have hives but do have a pond where in late summer, it is loaded with honey bee's getting a drink.  Utilizing a bird bath would be a great place to start....just my opinion.  Good luck.

[soldim]

We indeed use bird baths, or shallow plates -- anything goes. 

We like to put one or two next to every single hive... the less energy and time he ladies spend hauling water to more time they have to make honey for us

[histopicker]

To get them using the new water source; the old source will have to dry up for a while.

[Brad H.]

Jun 11, 2015 9:10:23 GMT -5 histopicker said:

To get them using the new water source; the old source will have to dry up for a while.

That's what i was worried about. Hopefully i can get them using a bird bath before they become fond of the pool. The slip and slides i can easily take away, but an 12,000 gallon pool is a little harder.

[histopicker]

Jun 11, 2015 10:23:24 GMT -5 Brad H. said:

Jun 11, 2015 9:10:23 GMT -5 histopicker said:

To get them using the new water source; the old source will have to dry up for a while.

That's what i was worried about. Hopefully i can get them using a bird bath before they become fond of the pool. The slip and slides i can easily take away, but an 12,000 gallon pool is a little harder.

Chlorinated water is like crack for bees.

[Brad H.]

You're killing me histo!

[farmertrappe]

From what I hear its hard to change the mind of one female, good luck with many, many thousands. Bees like my leaky water set up at the hog pen.

[bk]

Jun 11, 2015 14:32:47 GMT -5 Brad H. said:

You're killing me histo!

But he is right, Brad. And once they start, they won't stop until the water is dried up.