Bees to water

[jsmob]

Hi.
I live in town, and have my bees in my back yard. So I love sitting and just watching the bees do their thing.
Well I have a source of water for them about 20 to 30 ft away from the hives for them. Lots of traffic. While I was watching the girls I noticed that my bees are not the only bees visiting the watering hole. I didn't know that I had other hives so close to me.
So here are the questions. What would be the furthest a bee will travel for water? Also how long would this distens be? A city block, maybe two? Or shorter?
Thanks.

[annette]

I thought I had read they go up to 1/4 of a mile for water, but lets hear from others.

[BjornBee]

They will go as far as they need too.

The whole 1/4 mile comment, is that some have suggested in the past that if there are no water sources within 1/4 mile, that providing a water source is probably best. If they have to go further than that, the loss of efficiency of the hive and the additional resources used, are detrimental to the hive.

I would imagine that the other colony would be close. Bees will take water out of stopped gutters, tires, bird baths, polls, etc. There are usually ample water sources in most urban areas. So if they are hitting your backyard, I would say they are close based on that.

[annette]

I always wondered about that 1/4 mile limit!!

[Storm]

We have a river just on the 1/4 mile limit, plus a creek about 1/8 mile the other direction that is wet part of the year.  I've tried providing water near the hives, but after two weeks there's still no traffic.  I guess in my case they prefer the natural sources to city water.  Can't say I blame them.

[David Stokely]

I've got a small pond in my yard and also a bird bath, both of which the bees do use for water, but one of the most popular spots that they've found for water are some quart jars that I'm starting some hosta plants in.  They will just be full of fees crawling down the plant stems to sip the water in the jar.

[Storm]

Funny you should mention that, David.  A few years ago I tried starting my tomatoes from seed in flats, instead of buying plants as I usually do.  The bees practically swarmed the flats, sipping the moisture right out of the potting mix, even though they had a water source less than 10 feet away. 

[mvanek]

I provide a source of water for my bees, but my neighbors have noticed they go to their source over mine...they have a fountain, so I think they like the moving water.  Luckily, my neighbors enjoy the bees and have even put in floating sticks to help any that "fall" in!  :)  I think they've fallen in love with my bees as much as I have!

[Michael Bach]

I have and empty super on all my hives that I use mason jar feeders in.  In the summer I fill the feeders with water.  I also have a pet waterer in front of the hives thay bees use.  There are two bird baths that they love also.

I have a greenhouse.  After the rain has stopped there are a gazillion water droplets all over the outside.......and guess what?  I have a gazillion bees all over it licking away.

Quick question.  If you have hives and you see bees drinking water how can you tell that other honey bees are from another hive?

[CAHighwind]

My bees have a choice between a horse trough about 75 yards from the hives, or a stagnant green mosquito-filled puddle of water in a ravine about 150 yards away.  Invariably, they are choosing to hang out in the ravine for water.  Maybe they just like to watch the tadpoles down there...