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From:
James D Satterfield <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Discussion of Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 10 Jul 1996 17:38:56 -0400
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My neighbor has a swimming pool about 50 m from my apiary which consists
of 17 top bar hives.  I have tubs of water for the bees to use near my
hives.  The bees do pick up water from the tubs which have plants,  a
concrete block, and mesh screen for the bees to move on when picking up
water.  The bees also pick up water at two bird baths at the same
neighbor's house.  There are streams nearby where they can water also as
well as two lakes within a km.
 
A problem arises from honeybees getting into the pool then stinging
them or visitors when they swim.  I went over to the pool to see if they
were picking up water at the pool.  They apparently are not, but rather were
flying into the pool...perhaps disoriented with respect to the location of the
pool surface which was calm at that time.  I suggested that he adjust the
output of the pool pump circulation to make the surface of the pool have
a ripple.  He did this and we watched for a while, but bees would still
fly into the pool, especially at the calmer end away from the pump influx.
 
There may be a hundred or more bees that fly into the pool on a sunny day
with no pump circulation.  Any suggestions for remedying the situation
would be appreciated.  I don't like for the bees that I'm keeping to be a
nuisance for my neighbor...we get along well.
 
I don't think that the bees are going after chlorinated water though I've
read of that before.  Do any of you add NaCl to tubs of water that you
provide your bees??  Do bees "prefer" chlorinated water or salty water??
 
You may wish to email me directly with any comments that you have.  I'll
summarize your responses if you deem this thread not to be of general
interest to BEE-L subscribers.
 
BTW, I saw the giant European hornet *Vespa crabro* at my hives
yesterday.  This was the first sighting this year.
 
Cordially yours,
 
Jim
 
  ---------------------------------------------------------------
  |  James D. Satterfield        |  E-Mail: [log in to unmask]       |
  |                              --------------------------------
  |  258 Ridge Pine Drive         Canton is about 40 mi/64 km   |
  |  Canton, GA 30114, USA        north of Atlanta, Georgia USA |                                     |
  |  Telephone (770) 479-4784                                   |
  ---------------------------------------------------------------

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