For the Bees: A DIY Bee Bath
As we prepare to celebrate Pollinator Week in Canada June 17 to 24, there’s no better time to give our gardens’ busy little bees a little extra support. While many will have already planted their pollinator-friendly flowers, there’s one more thing you can do to support our local bee population: create a bee bath. Even better, it’s inexpensive, takes just a few minutes and is a great project to enjoy with the kids and grandkids.
Why create a bee bath?
Bees get thirsty, just like we do. So, while bee-friendly flowers are important, bees also need a place to collect water, such as a pond, fountain or a bee bath, explains Bee City Canada.
How to make a bee bath:
Find a shallow container. I had an unused bird bath that I crafted into more of a garden feature, but a shallow bowl or plant tray would work just as well – it doesn’t need to be big or fancy! Bee City Canada advises using “a dish that is water-safe, like glass or ceramic, as plastics and metals may leech into the water.”
Place some small rocks or pebbles in the bottom – these give the bees a place to rest while they drink.
Fill with water, making sure some of the tops of the pebbles stay above the water line. Because it’s shallow, you’ll likely need to refill daily in the warm weather.
Choose a spot in the garden that’s shady and protected and be sure to clean the bee bath weekly.
Learn more about Pollinator Week at www.pollinator.org/pollinator-week Learn more about Bee City Canada at beecitycanada.org
Did you know?
There are approximately 1,000 different species of bees in Canada. While honeybees and bumblebees are very social, many types of bees are not. For example, Megachile bees make their homes in dead plant stems, and miner bees make nests in the ground.
The number of bees is dwindling all over the world, and while the reasons are complex, two known main causes are loss of habitat and the use of pesticides.
Fun facts:
• Bees love caffeine.
• Bees can recognize human faces.
• One worker bee will make approx. 1/12th of a tsp. of honey in its lifetime.