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Garden Gate:  Odd Bee Question...  |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 22 2013 : 6:54:22 PM
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Hi girls -
My cousin was telling me today that he is having a terrible bee problem in his yard. Where most of us would be thrilled to see them, they have become a pest problem for him, and they tend to congregate around his pool area. He is trying to resolve the situation organically, so he did a little research online and found that wormwood is a good plant for deterring bees. He bought some seedlings, but when he went do dig, he found nothing but clay and stone around the pool area. I suggested that he plant bee-friendly plants in a far section of the yard to attract the bees and encourage them to relocate away from the pool. He said he could try that, but he is concerned it will just attract more bees. Understandable. Do you have any suggestions that might help him? I was thinking maybe he could call a local beekeeper for advice, but I also know if anyone knows what to do, it'd be MJF Farmgirls! :) Any suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much!
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2013 : 10:11:05 AM
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it's the water tanker bee's that are attracted to his pool, they transport water to the hive to cool it during hot times, unfortunatly any body of water will attract them, so unless you remove the hive, there's really not much you can do...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2013 : 7:36:56 PM
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I've never heard of them before, Tina - thanks for letting me know!
Today my hubby found a handful of bees in our pool's filter... We've never had this happen before. I wonder... If I put out little dishes of water in the garden, will the bees be less likely to head to the pool? I want to KEEP MY bees!!!
Thanks again, Tina -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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magnoliakathy
True Blue Farmgirl
453 Posts
Kathryn
Magnolia
Texas
USA
453 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2013 : 07:58:50 AM
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Bees will go to the closest body of water, putting a water source closer to the hive should work. Float a few sticks in the water for the bees to have a "platform" to work from. Remember the first 30 feet or so directly in front of the hive is where the bees potty as they leave the hive, put your water sources after this and on the sides. It may take a few days for them to find it, a sprinkle at the new water source for a few days will help them locate it. When you see bees using the water source, you can remove the sprinkler.
When you free your mind your heart can fly. Farmgirl # 714, |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2013 : 08:19:08 AM
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You know Kathryn, that actually makes a lot of sense! I actually have a book that recommends you put small dishes of water in your garden for beneficial insects and birds. The author suggests you place a few stones or pebbles in each dish to provide a landing place for the insects so that they don't drown. I am actually going to try this - thank you!!! I am thinking if my cousin puts a small birdbath or a bowl of water out in the opposite end of his yard (maybe near a garden or a pot of flowers or something), it may help a lot. I'm sure the bees would prefer chlorine-free water. And if he's concerned about stagnant water and mosquitoes, all he would need to do is dump the water and replace it daily. :)
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2013 : 5:13:23 PM
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| Fascinating! I never know about this. Thanks y'all. |
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Garden Gate: Odd Bee Question... |
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Odd Bee Question...
