Honey bee workers forage for four things that they bring
into the bee hive: nectar, pollen, propolis, and water. Nectar is the sugary
secretion of flowers that bees convert into honey. Pollen, also a product of
flowers, is a necessary component of bee food that contains protein, fats,
vitamins, and minerals. Propolis is a sticky substance that bees gather from
the saps and gums of trees. It is the “bee glue” that honey bees use to seal
cracks and openings in the bee hive, and, due to its antimicrobial properties,
protect the hive from pathogens. Water is an important part of the life of a
honey bee colony. Bees require water for metabolic processes; they use water to
dilute stored honey for consumption in the hive; and they use water to help
cool the hive. Honey bees are quite adept at regulating the environment inside
the bee hive. Whenever there is brood in the hive, which is most of the year,
the bees regulate the hive temperature to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Bees must cool
the hive in the summer. They do this in part by fanning their wings across
droplets of water. With July temperatures above 95 degrees, the bees are
foraging heavily for water.
A bee hive consumes lots of water. It is important for the
beekeeper to ensure a reliable source of water for all bee yards. Unless an
apiary is located near a natural body of water, like a lake or stream,
artificial water sources should be provided. Because scout bees share the
flavor of water that they find, bees prefer water with a taste. Bees will
readily forage from pet or livestock watering containers. Bees also like to collect water from swimming
pools; and, for this reason, beekeepers need to provide an attractive water
source close to urban hives as part of their Good Neighbor efforts. In today’s
photo, honey bees float on duckweed and water lilies in my goldfish ponds
to collect water.
--Richard
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