Bees do not dislike water, but they approach it with extreme caution. The perception that bees “hate” water stems from the visible danger it poses, especially large bodies of water or rain. This avoidance is a necessary survival instinct to mitigate the physical risks of getting wet. Despite this caution, water is a non-negotiable requirement for the survival and functioning of the entire honeybee colony.
The Essential Need for Water
Water is biologically fundamental for the honeybee colony, serving purposes beyond simple hydration. In hot weather, worker bees use water for thermoregulation, a process similar to evaporative cooling. They spread droplets of water over the honeycomb and vigorously fan their wings, causing the water to evaporate and cool the hive interior. This “air-conditioning” effect is crucial for maintaining the brood nest temperature between 90 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit (32 to 36 degrees Celsius), which is necessary for larval development.
Water is also used for preparing food for developing bees. Nurse bees mix water with stored honey and pollen to create a diluted, nutritious food that is easier for larvae to digest. During the winter or periods of low nectar flow, bees must also use water to dilute crystallized honey, which can become too thick to consume. The demand for water is driven entirely by the colony’s immediate need for cooling or brood-rearing, sometimes requiring a hive to collect up to a quart of water on a hot day.
Navigating the Danger
The primary reason bees avoid large or deep water sources is the mechanical danger posed by wetness, which compromises their ability to fly. A bee’s lightweight wings are covered in fine hairs; when wet, water molecules cause them to stick together and become significantly heavier. This increase in weight and stickiness disrupts the delicate aerodynamics required for flight, making it nearly impossible for a bee to take off or maintain control.
Even a small amount of water presents a significant drowning risk because bees cannot swim effectively. Their bodies are not adapted for aquatic movement, and the surface tension of water can easily trap them.
Bees breathe through small openings along their abdomen and thorax called spiracles. If a bee’s body gets submerged or heavily coated in water, these openings can become blocked, leading to rapid suffocation. When trapped, a bee may use a survival tactic known as hydrofoiling. By beating its wings against the water surface, the bee creates small ripples that propel it forward, essentially surfing toward a dry edge. This effort is energy-intensive, meaning a bee must reach safety quickly before becoming exhausted and drowning.
How Bees Collect and Transport Water
Water collection is a specialized task performed by designated “water carrier” bees, who are typically older foragers. Unlike nectar collection, water foraging is entirely demand-driven, meaning bees only collect it when the colony signals an immediate need. These foragers are highly efficient, with a single bee able to carry up to 50 microliters of water in her honey stomach, nearly doubling her body weight.
Upon locating a water source, the bee uses her proboscis to suck up the liquid and store it in her crop. She then returns to the hive, where she transfers the water to receiver bees through trophallaxis, the direct exchange of fluid mouth-to-mouth. The speed at which receiver bees accept the water dictates whether the water carrier will recruit more foragers, ensuring the colony’s intake matches its immediate requirements.
Providing Safe Water Sources
Since bees are attracted to water but face high risks, gardeners and homeowners can help by providing safe, accessible hydration stations. Bees naturally prefer shallow water sources, often seeking out mineral-rich or slightly turbid water found in muddy puddles. They also exhibit fidelity to a reliable source once discovered, repeatedly returning to the same location.
The setup should allow a bee to land and drink without touching the main body of water, thus mitigating the drowning risk. A simple solution involves placing a shallow dish or bird bath on the ground and filling it with materials that create landing pads:
- Pebbles
- Marbles
- Corks
- Moss
The water level should be kept slightly below the top of these items, creating dry surfaces that break the water’s surface tension. Maintaining a continuous supply of water in this manner reduces the energy bees expend searching for a safe drink.