The health of local bee populations, especially in suburban and urban environments, relies on access to sufficient foraging grounds and clean water. Providing a reliable water source is a remarkably simple yet profoundly effective action a person can take to support native and managed pollinators. For bees, water is not merely for drinking; it is a fundamental resource required for the complex biological functions that allow a colony to survive and thrive. Offering a safe, dedicated watering station is one of the most direct ways to enhance the well-being of the surrounding pollinator community.
Why Bees Require Water
Water is necessary for the hive’s internal economy, supporting several non-nectar-related functions. During hot weather, worker bees use water for evaporative cooling, which is a form of air conditioning for the colony. They strategically spread droplets of water across the brood comb and then fan their wings to create airflow, maintaining the brood nest temperature. This thermoregulation prevents the developing brood from overheating.
Water is also used for preparing food for the colony’s youngest members. Nurse bees require water to dilute the thick, stored honey, making it easier to consume and digest for the growing larvae. The liquid composition of royal jelly, which is fed to the youngest larvae, is high in water content. In winter, water is used to thin any honey that has crystallized, ensuring the stored food remains accessible to the adult bees. A single healthy colony can collect up to a quart of water daily during peak season.
Constructing Safe Watering Stations
The primary design principle for any bee watering station is to provide safe, stable footing to prevent drowning. Bees cannot swim, so they require a surface on which to land and drink without falling into the water. The container itself should be shallow, ideally a dish or saucer with a depth of no more than one to two inches. Suitable vessels include plant saucers, shallow bird baths, or even an automatic pet waterer modified with landing materials.
The container must be filled with various materials that break the water’s surface tension and offer safe perching spots. Pebbles, small river stones, marbles, or clean corks arranged so their tops remain dry are effective landing pads. Floating objects like pieces of untreated wood or sponges can also serve this purpose, ensuring the bees can drink even as the water level fluctuates. Fresh rainwater is an excellent choice, as it is naturally non-chlorinated. Avoid adding sugar or honey to the water, as this can attract pests, encourage robbing behavior, or contaminate the hive’s honey stores.
Optimal Placement and Maintenance
Strategic placement of the watering station enhances its effectiveness and the bees’ safety. Placing the station in a location that receives morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal, as this balance keeps the water cool and slows down evaporation. Bees are drawn to water sources by scent, so positioning the station near existing flowering plants or a vegetable garden will help foraging bees find it easily. However, it should be situated away from high foot traffic areas or any location where it might be disturbed or contaminated.
Consistency in the water supply is paramount, as bees are creatures of habit and will stop visiting an unreliable source. The station should be refilled daily, especially during hot, dry periods when the water evaporates quickly. A regular maintenance schedule is necessary to prevent the station from becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can complete their life cycle in standing water within five days. Scrubbing the container and changing the water every three to five days is a reliable practice. It is important to ensure the station is not placed near areas where pesticides or herbicides are frequently applied, as chemical residue can be highly detrimental to the bees.