Have you evidence of bees preference for warm water?

[user 6228]

Do you have any anecdotal evidence for bees having a preference for warm water over cold or the contrary?

in the U.S. there are a fair few tales of bees being a nusiance at "hot tubs"
I ve seen our bees taking water from moss on a sunlit roof and from a black flat roof rather than elsewhere.

 

[Chris B]

I lost a good apiary this year due to bees liking the hot tub too much. But I'd always understood it was some kind of mineral or additive in the water they liked rather than the temperature. All I know for sure is they preferred it to any other water source around in spite of most of them drowning.

 

[dclewis]

I wouldn't think its the temperature, but rather the unclean water that is in it. Brings to mind bees liking for manure heap run off. A bit of urea seems to attract them!

 

[SixFooter]

When I first started keeping bees, I set up artificial water sources all over my garden and allotment. None of them were used much until the following year. The water in them was smelly and green then. However, bees like to take water from my pond which is crystal clear. If you look at the water under a microscope though, it's full of stuff.
Also, they take the water from shallow areas over plant leaves. Easier for them I guess, but the water will also be warmer.

 

[drstitson]

I'd imagine that most hot tub water gets slightly salty through use.

 

[Winker]

My bees love to suck the watter from Horse crap, and they go straight for the hot fresh ones....

 

[user 6228]

The trouble is ... mucky water is usually warmer

 

[jimjams]

My bees love to suck the water from Horse crap, and they go straight for the hot fresh ones....

I have suddenly gone off honey!

 

[fiftyjon]

Bees at one my sites preferred Hot tubs/Spa baths in February this year, they are sited next to a garden centre that has a Hot tub/Spa bath dealer.

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=16041

A few dead bees were found under the covers of empty ones that were full the days before.

 

[Finman]

Do you have any anecdotal evidence for bees having a preference for warm water over cold or the contrary?

.

I have never heard and I have never seen. Of course bees go to the warms spot to take water. You need no evidence to that. If you do not believe your own eys, go to doctor.

But bees do not suck water from melting snow.

.

 

[user 6228]

I have never heard and I have never seen. Of course bees go to the warms spot to take water. You need no evidence to that. If you do not believe your own eys, go to doctor.

But bees do not suck water from melting snow.

.

For someone who claims to have biological science training, you seem complacent when it comes to experimental sample sizes.

 

[Skyhook]

No evidence- but it would seem logical that a small, cold blooded creature that has to work hard to stay up to operating temperature, would prefer water around that temperature. I have read in books (but have no evidence) that workers can be lost in early spring, fetching water for brooding and getting too cold to make it back to the hive.

 

[oliver90owner]

'when it comes to experimental sample sizes.'

and

'anecdotal evidence'

The two do not seem to have any particular connected relevance.

It would appear you need to set up your own 'anecdotal experiments'.

Bees are not that stupid. They will go to sunny places to drink, not deeply in shade on a cold day. Whether that is the just because of the ambient temperature (or for the water temperature as well) is for you to decide after suitable experiments, I suggest. A very small delta T might make a large difference to a bee, at or around it's lower temperature endurance limit. Keep you busy for a good time.

 

[Finman]

I have read in books (but have no evidence) that workers can be lost in early spring, fetching water for brooding and getting too cold to make it back to the hive.

Last Spring I had 2 Cyprian queen hives from Norton.
They were so thirsty that they came look for water even if temp was under freezing point. I thougt that they were sick.

When I opened the hives, they had a huge amount of brood. Other hives were in deep winter sleep. It was half metre snow on my yard.

Yes, they lost lots of bees because they cannot return to the hive.
But they survived and developed quickly to stong hives.

 

[Finman]

For someone who claims to have biological science training, you seem complacent when it comes to experimental sample sizes.

Holy ship!

This guy invented a wheel, but where are evidencies?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I wouldn't think its the temperature, but rather the unclean water that is in it. Brings to mind bees liking for manure heap run off. A bit of urea seems to attract them!

That's the difference between a reefeined person and a common one - posh people get out of the bath for a pee!

I'd imagine that most hot tub water gets slightly salty through use.

depends what use you put the hot tub to - I hear it's a handy way of doing the washing

But bees do not suck water from melting snow.

.

First lesson for young eskimos I believe - don't eat yellow snow

 

[Goran]

This picture is from beginning of march. I poor every day warm water at the beginning of the morning flight and they prefer it rather than cold one. I place the water jars in early spring. Usually when I want to they get the habit of using this water source I have to poor some sugar syrup in it to attract them at the beginning. But when I put warm water no need for the syrup.
This I will repeat again in the spring. Cause at least I believe it increase the speed of water taking, also I believe that spare the bees rather than taking ice cold water. After all who doesn't like warm tea in a cold day..

 

[coffin dodger]

I've an old hand waterpump (still working) and stone trough in the south facing back garden, the trough is covered in moss and the bees seem to love it, certain times of day you can see dozens of them sucking the water from the moss, maybe it tastes better !

Regards
CD

 

[jarfoster]

I have a down pipe on the outside wall from the kitchen sink,it leaks a little and is covered in moss the bees love it. Maybe the common denominator is moss.

 

[Cazza]

I have only anecdotal evidence. A trough under a tree was ignored until I moved it one foot into the sun. As soon as I did this it was heavily used.
Was it warmer water or warmer air? I think the air/light level more than the water temp.
Cazza