Bob Harrison <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>The only exception to the above is when a strong source of nectar is
coming
>in. Then the bees can pull water to cool the hive from the nectar.
Most accounts suggest that water collecting and nectar collecting are both
essential but separate tasks. What we must remember is that water is not
only for cooling, water is also essential for brood rearing and liquefying
stores for consumption. Nectar source, and nearby water source are both
essential for maximum colony development. Dr. Eva Crane reported that
small colonies given only water developed more rapidly than those given
syrup or those not receiving either water or syrup.
According to Seeley, one way a colony will cool a hive is to smear water
on combs and other interior surfaces which evaporate. Because it is the
evaporation process of the water droplets which carries away the heat,
if the cooling process evolves bees distributing droplets all through the
hive for cooling, I don't think this strategy could be exploited by the
colony because the nectar would probably create a sticky mess on comb
surfaces if deposited in the area of the broodnest where temperature
regulation is most essential.
In a article from Malcolm Sanford, (also a Bee-L list member),
disputes the assumption that water is not essential year round.
“…I was going to say that readily-available water is less important during
a nectar flow, but we are learning that this is not always the case, at
least during hot weather in arid climates.” (end quote)
Here’s some more reasons from the article why beekeepers should provide
water for bees rather than forcing them to find it wherever they can.
* Brood food is primarily water, close to 80 percent the first day of
larval growth and about 55 percent on the sixth day.
* Without sufficient water, colonies do not develop.
Long ago, Dr. Eva Crane reported that small colonies given only water
developed more rapidly than those given syrup or those not receiving
either water or syrup.
* In the F.A.O. book, Tropical and Sub-tropical Apiculture, Crane lists
the failure to provide water as one of three serious management errors,
and relates the lack of water to inadequate brood rearing and colony
development. Not surprising because without 90 to 95 percent relative
humidity in the cells, eggs will not hatch.
* In warm weather, bees need water also for cooling the hive. W.R.
Sheesley and E.L. Atkins reported in 1986 that in-field water increased
bee visits to alfalfa flowers and, subsequently, the set of seed. The
close source of water freed extra bees for nectar collecting. Not as many
bees were required to search for and collect water.
* Atkins reported in 1987 that in-hive waterers improved the 'welfare' of
colonies equipped with them. Earlier, Moffett, Stoner and Wardecker
recorded an increase in honey production from colonies with in-hive
waterers. Such results are to be expected when you consider that the bees
of one colony collected at least one-half gallon of water in 24 hours in
experiments by A.W. Woodrow at Tucson, Arizona.
* Colonies provided with nearby or in-hive water have survived better with
more brood and honey production during intensive insecticide applications
around them.
* The fact that eggs will not hatch in dry conditions and larval feeding
is to a large degree based on moisture content of food as stated by Dr.
Jaycox cannot be ignored. Creatively using water in areas where pesticides
are applied or under conditions where availability of moisture is marginal
should be explored by the beekeeper.
http://apis.ifas.ufl.edu/apis88/apmar88.htm
Best Wishes,
Joe
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