[ocba] Bees in swimming pool
Tom Wright
twright at vicksburg.com
Sat Jun 23 14:37:20 EDT 2007
Peter Smith wrote:
> Hello Group,
>
> I have a minor emergency involving a neighbor who is complaining about
> my bees in his swimming pool. I am the only beekeeper I know of in
> this area, so find it hard to deny that they are all from my hives.
>
>
>
> So far we have a cordial relationship, and I would like to keep it
> that way. Does anyone have any experience of this? Obviously I should
> provide them with a nearby source of water and have done so already,
> but they seem "programmed" to go back to the pool, and I would like
> some way to discourage that as soon as possible.
>
>
>
> Thanks for any suggestions.
>
>
>
> Peter Smith
>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>_______________________________________________
>ocba mailing list
>North Carolina Beekeeping
>http://www.theocba.org/
>
This is a common problem as bees need a source of water.
Obtain a garbage can lid, fill with pea gravel and water to the rim and
place in front of hives in line with neighbor's pool. Bees will
eventually abandon pool for closer source. Change water and wash gravel
from time to time to keep it fresh. A little sugar or honey in the water
will help the bees learn faster, but it will start to sour/ferment after
a few days.
Take the neighbor some honey and, if you have a spare suit and veil,
invite to look at bees.
If you want, catch a few at the pool in a jar with powdered sugar and
watch them fly a "beeline direct to your hives or perhaps to a bee tree
or hole in house wall. If the latter, call my son to come and remove
them. Have neighbor do this with you.
You have a tremendous educational opportunity here.
Tom Wright
Tom Wright
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