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Project Discussions:  How to Help the BeEs  |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
4613 Posts
Debbie Fischer
Coos Bay
OR
4613 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 22 2025 : 09:35:59 AM
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I saw this on Facebook this morning and thought I would share. I know next to nothing about Bees and thought it worth knowing.
Shared by a beekeeper. How to Truly Help Bees: A Beekeeper’s Advice
As a beekeeper, I strongly advise against leaving out fruit for bees. While it may seem like a kind gesture, fruit left in the sun or shade quickly develops harmful bacteria, which can be dangerous for bees. If they collect contaminated food and bring it back to the hive, it can compromise their stored honey and potentially harm the entire colony.
If you truly want to support bees, the best thing you can do is set up a proper watering station. Simply place a shallow dish of fresh water with small rocks or sticks inside, creating safe landing spots to prevent them from drowning.
For an even greater benefit, add a pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt to the water. This specific type of salt contains essential minerals that bees naturally seek out. These minerals help bees regulate their hive’s internal temperature, maintaining a steady 90°F—a critical factor for honey production and raising their young.
However, please do not feed bees directly—beekeepers strongly discourage this practice. Bees thrive best when they collect their own food from natural sources, which strengthens their immune systems and supports their overall health.
By providing clean, mineral-rich water, you’re offering bees exactly what they need to thrive—in a way that truly benefits them and the environment!
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Big Hugs,
Debbie
Farmgirl if the Month for:
September 2012, February 2018 and September 2022
“My altars are My Mountains and the Ocean.” Lord Bryon
When I am old I am wearing Purple. I am Old!!
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Edited by - Blessed in Colorado on Mar 23 2025 08:46:22 AM |
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Wanda Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Wanda
Murrells Inlet
SC
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2025 : 10:02:54 AM
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| Thank you for sharing Debbie. I had heard about shallow water with pebbles so they don’t drown, but not about adding the Himalayan salt. |
A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel.
Wanda Sue
Farm Girl #3677
Farmgirl of the Month-August 2022 |
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Bellepic
Farmgirl in Training
41 Posts
Christine
Santa Ana
CA
USA
41 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2025 : 11:12:21 AM
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+1 Wanda, I didn't know about salt either! Thanks, Debbie!
This far south/desert, I've never heard of feeding fruit, but I have heard encouragement to plant native plants and those that bloom during our hottest/driest month (August), and keep hummingbird feeders topped up to help keep the pollinators supplied when everything else has dried up... We don't get hard freezes and true winter dormancy here though so not sure how generalizable that advice is. |
Farmgirl#8680
www.steamstead.blogspot.com |
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nndairy
True Blue Farmgirl
1569 Posts
Heather
Wapakoneta
Ohio
USA
1569 Posts |
Posted - Mar 23 2025 : 07:33:23 AM
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| Thanks for sharing Debbie! I didn't know much about bees either, but I'm learning! I have a terrible reaction any time I'm stung. So, while I don't hate bees I'm leary of them and steer clear. I'm reading the book for the bee badge and WOW! Those honeybees are amazing. I highly recommend reading it. I'm pretty sure it's for the intermediate level. It's called Bee's Natures Little Wonders or something like that. I have the one from MJ's lending library though so you'll have to wait a little bit LOL! |
~Heather
“I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.” — George Washington |
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suny58
True Blue Farmgirl
304 Posts
Dianna
Jack
Al.
USA
304 Posts |
Posted - Mar 23 2025 : 6:09:29 PM
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Great article Debbie! Exactly why we change the hummers water every 3 days AND wash thier feeder! No different for our sweet bees!
We just had our Master Gardeners meeting last Wednesday and a bee keeper family came and spoke. Danny and I have gone to many meetings to start our own bee hives but because we are surrounded on all sides by farmers using chemical, it made it impossible for us. We don't want contaminated honey. So I threw myself into my pollinator garden strictly to grow healthy flowers for the bees who visit! I do so love them, stings and all. |
Farmgirl #7103
FGOTM January 2018
Dianna
"Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing." Pissarro |
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levisgrammy
Scattered Prairie Hen Honcho
10171 Posts
Denise
Ohio
USA
10171 Posts |
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Project Discussions: How to Help the BeEs |
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How to Help the BeEs
