Honey Bee Sanctuary - NOT!

[Mimi13]

Why are you worried about it? Bees will generally get their water and leave. I have bees, chickens and horses. They are not a problem,

I’m not really worried, more aggravated than anything. They are causing a problem because the dogs and chickens are not going up to the bowls/tub to drink/stand. To begin with there were just a few bees holding on for dear life around the edges of the water, however, now there are as many as 50 or more (at times) buzzing around the spots in the yard where each water source is. I have nine watering holes throughout the yard and run. They are covering my spigot handle and don’t like being shooed off for me to use it. Luckily I have not seen any bees on the horses’ water troughs. This year is like no other. This has never happened before.

It is so dry here the poor deer are coming into our barn (automatic waterer) to get water. I just spooked six of them this morning. Our two ponds in the front pasture are completely bone dry. That’s usually where the deer drink.

 

[slbenter]

Is it possible for you to have a little talk with the new beekeeper in the area? Maybe if he knew the problem not providing enough water near his hives is for you and your critters, he might begin to provide his own.

 

[Mimi13]

Is it possible for you to have a little talk with the new beekeeper in the area? Maybe if he knew the problem not providing enough water near his hives is for you and your critters, he might begin to provide his own.

Oh, I have no idea who it would be or even if there is a new beekeeper. I was just throwing that out there as a possibility since this has never happened before.

 

[Mimi13]

To all beekeepers and @JurassicBawk and @chickm1, what are some specifics on a bee watering hole? What is best because I am gonna make these bees the best watering hole they’ve ever seen. Maybe after a few days of luxury at their own hole they will forget about where I water my dogs and chickens. This has been a PITA.

Can the water be in the direct sun? Other than the bricks and rocks that I already have, what plants do the little buzzers like to rest on while drinking? I am on a mission now...to gain my water back!

 

[Fishkeeper]

I have a thought for you; Vaseline. People who keep insects that are able to climb line the inside edges of the enclosure in Vaseline to keep the bugs from getting out. It's slippery, they can't stand on it. Maybe if you coated the edge of the tub in Vaseline, so the bees couldn't land, they'd go elsewhere?
The reason they're after the water isn't just hydration. They cool the hive by picking up water, flying to the hive, and vibrating rapidly to evaporate the water inside the hive. More water sources should help, and it doesn't need to be sugary, I don't think, not if they want it as cooling. Maybe if you put a wading pool or whatnot for them to use, with lots of bricks and things so they can't drown, and make the wading tub edges slippery?
Vaseline near the drinking water shouldn't hurt anything, either. People put it on chapped lips. The guy who invented it wanted it to be a foodstuff, and ate a spoonful every day because he thought it might be good for him. I wouldn't suggest actually eating it, but if a little touches the water, you shouldn't have any trouble.

Or, is there somewhere enclosed you could put the wading tub? Heck- put it in a box and teach the chickens to use doggy doors to get in. Ain't no bee alive big enough to push open a doggy door, and if you find one, I have several questions and many concerns.

 

[Mimi13]

I have a thought for you; Vaseline. People who keep insects that are able to climb line the inside edges of the enclosure in Vaseline to keep the bugs from getting out. It's slippery, they can't stand on it. Maybe if you coated the edge of the tub in Vaseline, so the bees couldn't land, they'd go elsewhere?
The reason they're after the water isn't just hydration. They cool the hive by picking up water, flying to the hive, and vibrating rapidly to evaporate the water inside the hive. More water sources should help, and it doesn't need to be sugary, I don't think, not if they want it as cooling. Maybe if you put a wading pool or whatnot for them to use, with lots of bricks and things so they can't drown, and make the wading tub edges slippery?
Vaseline near the drinking water shouldn't hurt anything, either. People put it on chapped lips. The guy who invented it wanted it to be a foodstuff, and ate a spoonful every day because he thought it might be good for him. I wouldn't suggest actually eating it, but if a little touches the water, you shouldn't have any trouble.

Or, is there somewhere enclosed you could put the wading tub? Heck- put it in a box and teach the chickens to use doggy doors to get in. Ain't no bee alive big enough to push open a doggy door, and if you find one, I have several questions and many concerns.

You are funny, but have some very good thoughts. I might just try the Vaseline in hopes it won’t be detrimental to the honey bees.

One thing I have noticed is the bees have not entered either of my runs...yet. My nipple drinkers are in there but also I have two broody breakers set up, each with their own bowl of water. The runs have a fan in them and now I’m wondering if the bees aren’t to fond of fans. Or maybe they don’t want to fly through the pop door or through the hardware cloth one. Hmmmm!! I might just put the chickens’ wading tub in the run. Thanks for giving me this thought.

 

[WthrLady]

They chicken out too quick!
Be patient, once they discover how crunchy and tasty all these buzzing things are their velociraptor genes will take over.

Mine hang out around the hive all the time. Bees don't bother the birds, and the birds have no interest in the bees.

 

[WthrLady]

Also. bees are attracted to lemmon grass essential oil. Drip some on a cloth and lightly wipe it on the edge of the dish you want them to visit.

Sometimes large pans of water with no stones to break up the reflection looks like sky and they crash and drown. I second the cheesecloth/towel/ stone idea.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Mine hang out around the hive all the time. Bees don't bother the birds, and the birds have no interest in the bees.View attachment 1894534

That is a beautiful bee hive you have there!
But it wouldn't work for my Blanca duck. - In fact it would work all too well for Blanca: She would just stick her bill into the hole and suck all the bees into her stomach at once. She is catching insects in mid flight all day long and i'm sure plenty of them are bees.

 

[WthrLady]

Lol. Spicy sweety!