A pond surrounded by pebbles is an ideal place for bees to drink from.
Water is essential for bees. They use it to regulate the temperature of the
hive and to dilute honey for eating.
Nuisance bees
If the closest water source to your bees is the neighbours swimming pool
or pond then this can cause a problem as a large number of bees will visit
the pool everyday for water. Other sources of water that might be near
by are: dripping taps, bird baths, horse troughs, ponds or washing hung
out to dry.
Providing water close to the hive
You can stop the bees from causing a nuisance by providing a closer source
of water. However, you should place the water over 3 meters away from
the hive. The bees will not drink from water placed directly next to the
hive because they might have defecated in it. Suitable water sources you
can provide are:
Bees can be kept in a garden with other pets such as chickens, rabbits
and dogs. Dogs should be prevented from being able to get close to the
hive as the bees may well treat the dog as a potential danger and sting
it. If you have a dog, it would be a good idea to fence off the area of the
garden that the bees are in so that the dog can’t investigate.
A bucket or tray with pebbles in the
bottom to stop the bees drowning.
A drinker for a chicken can be used
for bees.
Water sources for your bees
Pets
Salvia. Purple toadflax.
Nectar and pollen sources throughout the year
PLANTS MARCH
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
POLLEN
COLOUR
Poppy
Christmas Rose
Winter Aconite
Dandelion
Oil seed rape
Heather
Knapweed
Blackberry
Borage
Allium
Raspberry
White Clover
Ivy
Trees
Sycamore
Apple
Cherry
Plum
Willow
Horse Chestnut
Hawthorn
Bees and chickens can live happily together in the same garden
To Next Page
Loading...