Viewing post #1229460 by nativeplantlover

Kat2014 said:Thank you for bringing up this subject. Apparently there are people in our suburban Springfield, MA area who are keeping bees, but maybe not providing water??? We've been in a heat spell and drought around here, and my concrete birdbath now has so many honeybees congregating around it that the birds have shied away from using it. I certainly don't want the bees to die, but I'm having trouble just trying to change the water in the birdbath. The bees get somewhat agitated whenever I try to dump the water. Yes, the water in the birdbath is too deep for them. I've tried setting out a large plant saucer for them, but they seem to prefer the birdbath, even though I've already had to rescue a number of them that have fallen in. What else can I do? I don't know who in the area is keeping the bees. I was wondering if our town might be willing to send out a Reverse 911 call, just to alert homeowners that they must provide water if they're going to keep bees; however, I don't even know if it is legal in our town for anyone to be keeping bees. I don't want to cause trouble for anyone. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Thanks for sharing your experiences Kat- I do have one suggestion, not the cheapest, but something that might keep both birds and bees happy. Maybe try two birdbaths? one with a normal amount of water for the birds and another one with the stones and pebbles in the water for your insects. I have red bee balm near the bird feeder and one or two branches usually droops right into the edge. I have seen a been climb out this way already.