DIY Water drinker for bees

Making a DIY water drinker for bees in your garden is a great way to provide a source of clean water for the bees to drink from. Here you will learn how to make a simple bee watering station for your garden. It is a great and fun DIY project for children, and they will be able to observe the bees and other insects when they come to drink.

Why do bees need water?

Bees need water to maintain their bodily functions, especially during hot weather when they may get dehydrated quickly. They use water to cool the hive by evaporating it, to dilute honey when feeding larvae, and to regulate the humidity within the hive. Bees also use water to dissolve crystallized honey in the combs.

Bees will fly up to several miles in search of water sources, so having a water source close-by can be very beneficial for their health and survival. Providing a water drinker for bees can also help prevent them from drinking from less desirable sources such as bird baths or swimming pools, which is not desirable for either bees or humans. Read more about bees and water here: Do bees drink water?

How to make an easy DIY water drinker for bees:

Materials needed:

• A shallow dish, tray or bowl with a diameter of at least 8-10 inches
• Stones or pebbles or moss
• Water
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Choose a location in your garden where the water dish will be accessible to the bees. If you keep bees in your garden you should not place it too close to the bees. Also, it is wise not to place it in a spot often frequented by humans or other animals as on a hot day, it will be full of very busy bees. It’s best to place the dish in a partially shaded area so the water won’t evaporate too quickly.
2. Fill the shallow dish or tray with water, leaving enough space so the water won’t spill over the sides.
3. Place the stones or pebbles in the water so they are sticking out of the surface of the water. The bees will use them as a landing pad to access the water without drowning.
4. Add a teaspoon of salt to the water to attract the bees if desired.
5. Check the water dish regularly to make sure the water is clean and replace it with fresh water as needed.

Remember to keep the water dish clean and free of debris to prevent the spread of disease among the bees.

Hanna Bäckmo

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