Ducks and Bees 2nd question

[nao57]

So previously, I'd asked if you can have ducks and honey bees in the same property and if they will coexist fairly peacefully.

Many of you generously responded positively. And I'm very thankful.

But a new question popped up in relation to it...

If ducks are filthy in their water and extremely messy... (and they are), and if bees are making honey out of that water, is that going to be a problem for having unmentionables and terrible germs in the honey?

This part has me worried.

I don't have the bees yet but I have the ducks.

Are they going to have to have separate water systems? But how would you do that without the ducks just going naturally over to the second water source also? Especially since they love water almost more than anything, it sounds like it would be pretty difficult to keep them separate?

Have some of you faced this before? What do you suggest?

 

[Isaac 0]

This is just something I read you might find interesting-

"When deciding on the best water sources for bees, it helps to think like a bee. Although every bee has five eyes, bee eyes are attuned to detecting motion and changes in light levels, not the detail we are accustomed to seeing. In addition, bees travel high and fast, so they may easily overlook potential water sources.

Biologists believe that bees probably find most of their water by scent rather than sight, so a water source with a smell will be more attractive. Water that smells like wet earth, moss, aquatic plants, worms, decomposition, or even chlorine, has a better chance of attracting a bee than sparkling water straight from the tap.

Smelly or slimy water sources have the advantage of containing a wide range of nutrients as well. Although a bee gets most of her nutrients from nectar and pollen, some water sources are rich in vitamins and micronutrients that can boost honey bee nutrition."

https://backyardbeekeeping.iamcountryside.com/health-pests/creating-the-best-water-sources-for-bees/

 

[Ratchnick]

So the nasty duck water is beneficial!

 

[nao57]

I glad I'm not a bee. I wouldn't want that kind of water. lol.

 

[Ratchnick]

I glad I'm not a bee. I wouldn't want that kind of water. lol.

You know what they say. If your a dung beetle shit tastes like sugar!

 

[nao57]

Can the ducks 'foul smelling water' harm the honey production?

This is one key part I should follow up on. The ducks do sift the dirt and shit through the water. And wow the smell. Even when I change the water constantly.

So I'm wondering if this will affect their honey production, and hope for more responses on what you'd observed?

So far the ducks and bees get along well. And an interesting observation; I tried to see if the ducks would eat the dead bees like they would for mealworms. ... They don't. Its kind of interesting actually that they won't eat the bees. i tested this a couple of times. (But my ducks are fat and healthy... who knows for starving ducks right? But maybe all ducks are starving...)

 

[RSTinWA]

Dirty water will not hurt honey production. The bees have their process down pat, and they've been dealing with stinky duck water and the like since the beginning of time.

 

[nao57]

Dirty water will not hurt honey production. The bees have their process down pat, and they've been dealing with stinky duck water and the like since the beginning of time.

Any idea how they do this? Do they filter it in their stomach or something, before coughing it back up to share with the others? (Haha, this sounds weird to say...I'm glad people don't share water this way.)

 

[RSTinWA]

It's magic. Kind of like the magic that allows ducks to eat flies, slugs, and meal worms, and produce delicious, healthy eggs.

Seriously though, one of the best online honey bee educators is Girl Nextdoor Honey. She can probably asnwer your questions about how those clever bees pull off their magic tricks and set your mind at ease. A quick google will get you to her blog, website, instagram, etc.

 

[Scrumdidlyump]

I have ducks and bees.
Mostly, the bees ignore the duck pool in favor of dewdrops, water in the shallows of my creek etc.
Occasionally I have to fish waterlogged bees out if the kiddie pool.