Bees & Water supply

Busybee58 · April 06, 2022, 07:06:30 AM

Something is really puzzling me right now. Prior to me installing the bees and then the first several weeks after my bees arrived my 3 birdbaths were filled with bees. Obviously local bees were drinking at my well so to speak, and then my 2 hives joined in.

The last week or so when I do my daily walk around the yard I rarely see them drinking anymore, and I don't understand because it's been very warm here lately. They are so busy at the hives, I would think they need to drink! Obviously I can't watch them every second of the day, but I typically see a couple at each of the birdbaths.

Any comments? thanks.

BeeMaster2 · April 06, 2022, 08:32:36 AM

The reason is they are now bringing them in lots of nectar. Before they were probably bringing in water to dilute honey to bee able to eat it and feed their brood. Nectar is about 85% water as compared to honey is 18% water.
Nothing to worry about. Good question and good observation.
Jim Altmiller

Busybee58 · April 06, 2022, 09:29:44 AM

Perfect great news!!! Thanks.

The15thMember · April 06, 2022, 11:40:07 AM

Quote from: BeeMaster2 on April 06, 2022, 08:32:36 AM
Good question and good observation.

I agree. Keep on observing like that; it will serve you well as a beekeeper.

Oldbeavo · April 07, 2022, 05:53:51 AM

Our bees have been working in an area where there is no water. We have to supply it and in the warm part of summer they were consuming about 1 1/2 liters per hive per day.
We had to go to them every 10 - 14 days to top up the water, only problem was that they were 200 miles away but it was the only honey going.
There was 100 hives and they had 2 x 1000 liter containers for them.

The15thMember · April 07, 2022, 10:57:27 AM

Quote from: Oldbeavo on April 07, 2022, 05:53:51 AM
Our bees have been working in an area where there is no water. We have to supply it and in the warm part of summer they were consuming about 1 1/2 liters per hive per day.
We had to go to them every 10 - 14 days to top up the water, only problem was that they were 200 miles away but it was the only honey going.
There was 100 hives and they had 2 x 1000 liter containers for them.

That's incredible! That like the same amount of water a person would drink!

What sort of containers were you using? How do the bees access the water in a tank that large without drowning?

Oldbeavo · April 07, 2022, 05:36:32 PM

Hi 15th
The tanks are set up with floats and troughs, sort of
I will try and add some photos[attachment=0][/attachment][attachment=1][/attachment][attachment=2][/attachment]
The bees land on foam rubber mats that have been cut up
The white container has the float and has holes in it, so maintains water level.
The cage around the trough is to keep out local wildlife.

The15thMember · April 07, 2022, 06:00:36 PM

Quote from: Oldbeavo on April 07, 2022, 05:36:32 PM
Hi 15th
The tanks are set up with floats and troughs, sort of
I will try and add some photos[attachment=0][/attachment][attachment=1][/attachment][attachment=2][/attachment]
The bees land on foam rubber mats that have been cut up
The white container has the float and has holes in it, so maintains water level.
The cage around the trough is to keep out local wildlife.

Wow, that's amazing! Boy, looking at how much water that is, you just wouldn't think they could drink all that!

Oldbeavo · April 08, 2022, 07:51:28 AM

It is hot dry country where the bees are, days can get to 105 F, and no water anywhere.
We put shades on some hives that got the middle of the day heat, most hives got dappled shade by mid afternoon.
The photo's are of the shades and the vegetation they we working, if you look close you will see some trees in blossom. Tree was called Xmas Mallee, Eucalyptus socialis,

Ben Framed · April 08, 2022, 08:05:51 AM

Thanks for the pictures! This looks similar to places the "Bush Bee Man" places some of his bees. Are you and he the same person? 😊 OldBeavo how deep is the water table in this location?
Adding more questions lol: How long are your bees usually in a waterless place such as this?
Is this a place that you visit and pollinate yearly?

Oldbeavo · April 10, 2022, 12:47:39 AM

Hi BF
There is no underground and water for irrigation comes from the Murray river about 5 mile away. We have access to water about 2 miles away and cart 1000 liters at a time.
We put our bees there in November and they are still there. Where they are is actually our wintering site but the trees have blossomed this year.
our almond pollination farm is only about 12 miles from the wintering site, so comes 1st of August it is a quick shift to almonds.