Don’t Forget Water
Years ago, I didn’t understand the importance of providing water for my hives. One day, I noticed bees gathering at the edge of a puddle caused by water leaking from where the hose attached to our house. It suddenly struck me: They were thirsty.
Like all animals, bees need water, especially in the hot weather.
Sure, bees will fly all over looking for water, but why make it tough on them? Bees operate by smell, so they may be better able to find a smelly puddle of water better than a fresh source. A natural water source, even if it is a puddle, may be better for your bees than a birdbath you refill every day.
Bees also need something in the water, like a piece of wood or rocks that stick up, that they can land on to access the water. If you don’t have a natural source of water nearby, a good solution is a three or five-gallon pail of water with sticks and corks floating in it to provide bee rafts they can land on.
