Bee Bath
by Kathy K McClellan
Title
Bee Bath
Artist
Kathy K McClellan
Medium
Photograph - Photographs
Description
Bee Bath is a photograph taken in Florence AL by Kathy K. McClellan for Day One as part of a Seven Day Challenge with a specific theme: Liquid.
Water, the source of life. Necessary for insects as well as plants and animals.
Most serious gardeners and bird lovers have bird baths on their property. We are now learning how important it is to also have Bee Baths. Bees are great pollinators and are necessary for many vegetable and flowering plants to produce. Normally bees and other pollinating insects will get their water from dew or raindrops on plant leaves and a leaky outdoor faucet if available.
Providing a source of fresh clean water helps bees with proper digestion, gives them a source of water to dilute honey when it crystalizes, provides fluid for the production of royal jelly and enables bees to cool their hives by adding water and then fanning their wings to evaporate that water into natural air conditioning.
The depth of your bee bath will depending on the type and size of the pollinator (bee and/or wasp) that you want to draw to your garden.
The bee bath pictured is encouraging pollinators that like shallow bee baths as well as those who prefer a deeper source of water.
The bathtub shaped container will attract the bees and other pollinating insects that prefer a deeper source of water whereas the plate under the tub container will be used by the insects that prefer a shallow source for their watering needs. Both sources of water include glass stones that enable the insects to stand above the water while drinking.
Blue glass stones were used in this particular bee bath because the color blue attracts the largest variety of bees. River rocks or small stones and even broken pieces of clay pots could also be used. An upturned flower pot under the bath keeps it elevated above the ground or mulch. Keeping the bee bath in the shade will keep evaporation to a minimum.
It is important to keep your bee bath maintained with fresh water daily and cleaned weekly.
Uploaded
July 8th, 2021
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