Tim Gabbert, a second year beekeeper from Williamsburg, Virginia, noticed honey bees congregating at one of his birdbaths and wondered how to keep the bees from drowning. His solution? Ancient seashells perforated with worm holes. He writes: I live in area rich with ancient ocean sea shells that are constantly being pulled from the cliffs […] Read more
Several years ago I planted lamb’s ear to attract wool carder bees. I wanted to get pictures of the bees collecting fibers, but so far, I haven’t seen a single taker. Instead, the wool carders stay on the lemon balm. However, every morning the honey bees congregate on the lamb’s ear to drink the condensation […] Read more
This 13-second clip is probably the cutest bee video I have ever seen, bar none. It was sent to me by Paul Packbier in Guam. He says, “I wanted to share this video my wife took today with her iPhone. I’ve taken photos of our bees enjoying the nectar and pollen of the nearby water […] Read more
A discussion of water sources for bees would not be complete without a mention of guttation. Drops of liquid that you see along the edges of a leaf—or sometimes at the very tip—are actually drops of xylem sap. The process that delivered the sap to the leaf margins is called guttation. Drops of xylem sap […] Read more
Here’s another take on a honey bee water bar. Andrew, from North Andover, Massachusetts, filled a two-tiered plant stand with bowls of sea glass. He adds plain fresh water daily and he says his bees adore it. I love the colors. The blues and greens look icy, almost begging you to take a sip. Thanks, […] Read more
I watered the shrubbery in front of my house and got the concrete driveway wet in the process. Within a few minutes, dozens and dozens of honey bees congregated on the concrete to lick up the cooling drops. Recalling that honey bees love salt water pools, I made a wading pool for them from a […] Read more
Florence, a beekeeper and blogger in eastern Ontario, sent some photos with a question: Why do her bees return to the same watering holes day after day, even when it is raining and closer-to-home sources abound? My first thought was that the bees want their usual dirty water, the water with a nice green odor […] Read more