Insects are truly important creatures for our environment and for humanity. Unfortunately, due to human impacts on their habitat, insecticides, and ever-dwindling food and water sources, the number of insects is declining dramatically every year. Bees are particularly threatened and therefore protected. These beneficial, striped insects have an increased need for water, especially in midsummer when temperatures rise. You'll notice a lack of water in bees, for example, when the insects are visibly exhausted and weak. Sometimes, thirst can make these otherwise peaceful creatures aggressive and hostile. To compensate for the water shortage and provide bees and other insects with a water source, you can build your own bee waterer from natural materials. We'll explain how to do this in this guide.
Bee drinking trough: materials from nature
If you want to build a bee waterer as a watering source for bees and insects of all kinds, you need to consider a few things. Among other things, you need to know what makes a good bee waterer, how many you should set up, and which location is most suitable. Setting up a simple bowl of water is well-intentioned, but it can pose a potential danger to the bees. To ensure your bee waterer is safe and provides an adequate water supply, we've compiled the best tips for you. This way, nothing will go wrong when designing your bee waterer for your balcony or garden.
Bees need water – but what for?
Of course, bees are living creatures and they need fluids to keep their circulation flowing and avoid dehydration. They get most of their fluids from nectar and their food, but they also need water to quench their thirst. Dewdrops collecting on plants are usually sufficient for this. But bees also need water to cool their hives and feed their brood. Especially in residential areas with few plants, it's almost impossible for bees to find sufficient water sources. A bee waterer can help maintain and protect bee colonies, as the water source, designed to meet the bees' needs, supplies them with vital H2O.
Build your own bee waterer: Here's how
You don't need many materials to build your own bee waterer. You probably already have most of them at home or can find them in nature. Of course, it would be great if you could create a natural pond in your garden, but a DIY bee waterer is also perfect for a balcony or for families with small children who don't want a pond for safety reasons.
What you need:
- A bowl
- moss
- stones
- branches
- Water, preferably rainwater
How it works:
Take a shallow bowl or deep plate and fill it with various natural materials such as stones, moss, twigs, or expanded clay to provide a suitable landing area for the bees in search of water. Fill the bowl or plate with rainwater. Bees don't like tap water as much because it is less rich in nutrients. Don't forget to refill the waterer regularly and clean it about every two weeks to prevent bacteria from accumulating in your bee waterer and to ensure good water quality.
The perfect place for your bee waterer
The optimal location for a bee waterer is sunny and very warm. Make sure it's sheltered from the wind and, ideally, covered so the bees can rest during rain. It's perfect if you place your bee waterer near bee-friendly plants. Attracted by the colorful flowers, bees will come to collect pollen and nectar and will then find and accept your waterer more easily. If you have a beehive nearby, the bee waterer should be at least 40 meters away from the hive, as otherwise the water in the waterer will become too contaminated with bee droppings. Bee waterers are especially attractive if you add a few drops of anise oil to the water. The strong essential scent is particularly pleasant for bees and can attract them directly to your bee waterer.
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Once you've successfully attracted bees with your bee waterer, they'll regularly visit your garden or balcony. Make sure they always have enough water, because just a few failed attempts and they'll look for another bee waterer to meet their water needs. Especially with children, building a bee waterer is a great way to teach children about the role bees play in our ecosystem while doing something good for the bees.
