entrance feeder for water

[marliah]

I came across a book that said an entrance feeder is a good way to provide water to bees, anyone use that? do they empty it out fast or does it last a few days?

[Barbara]

We have several birdbaths in our yard, and we put one fairly close to our two hives.  We filled it with rocks, before we put the water in, so the bees have a way to get to the water.  I'm hoping they use that, and not the neighbor's pool when he opens it.

[SystemShark]

My mentor has a birdbath and a little water feature/waterfall thing in his yard. He says the bees sometimes go for the neighbors pool anyway because they go for the smelliest water. So the draw of chlorine may be too much for them, as opposed to his mucky birdbath!

[Barbara]

oh well, wishful thinking . . .

[doak]

Find an old refrigerator and take the top that covers the bottom vegetable pans.
make a stand a little out in front or off to one side of your colonies.
Turn upside down and fill with pea gravel. then fresh water, holds about two ltrs and will last 4 or 5 days.
I'll get a picture of mine as soon as I can get back in my bee yard and get my camera. :roll: :-x ;) :)doak

[Michael Bush]

Sometimes they use them, sometimes they ignore them.

[Brian D. Bray]

Sometimes they use them, sometimes they ignore them.

My bees have used the bird bath, water trough in the goat pen, waterers in the pigeon and chicken pens, water from the creek, and water from the rentention pond from the new housing development.  All those sources are within 50 feet to a few hundred yards.  I've even seen them taking water from the lake 1/4 mile away.  So as long a some water souce is available the bees will find it.  It just might not the one you would prefer they use.  If ordances dictate a providing a water source then do so but don't expect the bees to use it.

[qa33010]

     Last year I used entrance feeders for water source.  They ignored them and went after the water that was in a bucket under a faucet I kept on a slow drip with a peice of wood in the middle.  They also frequented the improvised bird bath in the front yard (large planter upside down with the pan on top and some rocks in the center).

[Cindi]

Yeah that might work, the bees around my place love to suck water from the muckiest mucky muck they can find.  It amazes me their love for the muck soils.  Beautiful and best of this great day, Cindi

[MustbeeNuts]

I have a book that suggests that you take peat and fill the bottom of a tray or bowl, bird bath, and then add the water so it just covers the peat it will suck up the water and make a large sponge affair. It states the bees love to use it because they can get a drink and not fall in. I just used a couple bird baths with rocks, still thinking about the peat idea though?

[doak]

I love the pea gravel. easy to pick leaves etc. out and is easy to change out if need be.
Gravel tar roads is an easy place to get it. Just take a flat shovel and scoop it up at the edge of the pavement. doak