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| Honeybee visiting peach flower |
Q.
My daughter has an above-ground swimming pool and she is encountering a lot of
bees floating on her pool water. First she is not happy to see them die. Second
she is not happy for them to be there as her son and daughters swim in the pool
and they don’t want to get stung. Can you make any suggestions?
A.
The bees are looking for water to take back to their hives. When it is hot out,
bees are continuously hauling water back to the hives to keep it cool. And
consequently they drown because the pool is not shallow.
The bees are looking for water to take back to their hives. When it is hot out,
bees are continuously hauling water back to the hives to keep it cool. And
consequently they drown because the pool is not shallow.
She can try putting out a shallow
depression in the landscape away from the pool and see if they will land there
instead. They would prefer to haul water from a place that has a very shallow
amount of water like the edge of a pond or stream.
depression in the landscape away from the pool and see if they will land there
instead. They would prefer to haul water from a place that has a very shallow
amount of water like the edge of a pond or stream.
This way they can land on solid
ground, take water and fly away. Once they find it, they may make lots of trips
to it for water and be regular visitors. There is a hive somewhere fairly close
by.
ground, take water and fly away. Once they find it, they may make lots of trips
to it for water and be regular visitors. There is a hive somewhere fairly close
by.
I am posting for a reader.
I have a small water fountain by my patio and the bees come and sit on the rim often. Occasionally I find a bee in the water that got too far off the rim. The birds, especially the hummingbirds, really enjoy the bubbler for drinks and bathing. A sight to see small sparrows taking a bath. Must be refreshing with our hot weather.
A shallow dish filled with marbles or pebbles can create a great landing zone for bees and other beneficials. But you want to have good water circulation to avoid both algae and mosquitoes.
Nice information and good predicition.