Drought

[Understudy]

Today in south Florida, the first level drought standards were put into place. Which means we basically have to water our lawns between 4am and 8am every other day max. No car washing. No running hoses. Things like that. My grass is definitly crunchy.

I have gone through droughts before just never with bees. So my question to those who have been through one or are going through one (Mick , that means you), What can I expect to happen to my bees?
What about the nectar flow?
What if anything should I do?

Stage 2 becomes more restrictive and Stage 3 is basically we have no water. I don't think it will get any worse but just in case.


Sincerely,
Brendhan

[buzzbee]

I have a garden pond(one of those plastic ones with a fountain from Wal Mart and one a little larger. I keep goldfish in them but they keep the bees well supplied with water and out of the neighborhood pools.I have floating plants that the bees can perch on.The bees spend a lot of time gathering water for the hive when it gets hot and dry.On average they stay for 40 to 45 seconds from landing to take off.Not sure about the tropics,but everything almost stops here when it gets real dry.

[Michael Bush]

>What about the nectar flow?

There may be none.

>What if anything should I do?

If there is none, you'll need to feed them enough to keep them from starving.

[tig]

i live in the tropics and when we lack rainfall it usually means no or very minimal nectar flow.  even pollen is affected.

[qa33010]

Had a bad drought last year.  I pulled 7.5 gallons from two hives.  This was with out feeding them since April and pulled honey at end of September.  Still had enough honey left in hives to get them through to now.  I think it depends on where you're at and if you have drought tolerant nectar plants around AND if they have the minerals needed for nectar production.