It may sound strange at first: But bees can be thirsty too. Especially when the temperatures slowly rise as winter draws to a close and the hard-working aerobatic artists are eagerly collecting honeydew. Bees use this in addition to flower nectar to produce the honey that we finally smear on our rolls. In residential areas, bees love to feast on the rivulets in gutters. But this source also dries up when spring shows its sunny side. Then a bee waterer can help to provide the insects with liquid. In this article you can find out which ones are available and what you should consider when setting them up.
This bee and insect waterer can be placed in the garden or on the terrace all year round. The plastic bowl is frost-proof, has a diameter of 14 centimeters and holds a maximum of 300 milliliters of water. The lattice basket can be individually designed and filled so that the thirsty bees feel comfortable drinking. Small stones, some peat, small pieces of moss, pine cones or flowers are ideal for this. The grid can also be easily removed and cleaned under running water.
The XL version of the JoDaK insect drinker works according to the same principle. There is even room for the feathered friends of the bees. After all, birds are also happy to be refreshed after several dry spring days.
A plastic bowl is also the basis of the WoodBi bee waterer. A ring perforated with small holes serves as a safe landing and drinking place. A standard glass with a maximum diameter of 83 millimeters or a glass bottle (maximum three liters) is placed over a rubber ring in the middle. Then fill in the water or a syrup solution. Complete. A very simple but nice solution to help bees drink.
A dolomite ceramic bowl filled with 80 colorful glass marbles can also attract bees and other insects and provide them with water. With a height of twelve centimeters and a diameter of 20 centimetres, the Navaris water dispenser is the largest bee waterer presented here. And also the ones with the funniest and most challenging landing pad. Because the bees land on the glass marble heap to drink from the bowl. So that this works safely and the bees don’t fall into the water, only enough water should be poured into the drinking trough, which is beautifully decorated on the outside, until the marbles are half covered.
So that the bees actually take their drinking break with you, the location should be carefully considered. A sunny spot in the garden, on the terrace or balcony that is as sheltered as possible is ideal. Insect-friendly plants nearby are also helpful. This has another advantage: because the bees and bumblebees pollinate the plants in your garden before or after drinking, in the best case scenario.
Important: bee waterers that are set up and set up in spring should be filled with warm water. 20 degrees Celsius is just right for the bees. Ideally, you should use water from the rain barrel, because bees don’t like treated water from the tap. In addition, the bee waterer should be set up in a place where the warming rays of the sun can reach in the morning. So the bees can refresh themselves with lukewarm water tomorrow.
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