Viewing post #1227976 by greene

Excellent information. I first learned about "watering the bees" at our local beekeeping association meetings. I use the large trays from terra cotta pots. I add pebbles but (since I am surrounded by pine trees) also have a few pieces of pine straw floating on the water surface. One of the speakers at a bee meeting told us how he had watched a bee save itself from drowning by climbing onto a piece of pine straw.

One note about mosquitoes that I learned from our Mosquito Control Officer. Certain types of mosquito eggs will adhere to the (inside) sides of the container. The eggs can sit there after the water evaporates or is dumped out - the eggs can still be viable for up to 8 months - all they need is for the container to be refilled with water. It's always best to scrub at least the sides of the container to eliminate the mosquito eggs - and the eggs stick like glue!! I use one of the green scrubby pads (no soap or chemicals) and keep it attached to a nearby tree branch with a clothes pin.