Water for Honeybees

Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera) Drinking

Recently I noticed Honeybees (Apis mellifera) that appeared to be ‘drinking’ from the soil in my garden. I had never seen this before, in all my time bee stalking, and it made me wonder if there was some wonder component to soil that I had previously overlooked. So I investigated.

Honey Bee

It transpires that the reasons for bees sipping from the soil are fairly straightforward:

• It’s easier for them to take in warmer water. Although they can drink it cold, being cold-blooded, warmer is better for keeping the metabolism going

• Soil smells. If you get around using your sense of smell, the scent of dirt is a reliable way of quickly tracking down water

• They can’t drown in it. It seemed so obvious after reading it. If a bee lands on a pond or a birdbath there is a chance they will fall in and meet their inevitable demise but it is much safer to drink on (fairly) solid ground

These are just a few of the shots I took. My favourite being the one below of the bee walking away. I think it adds a certain shine to a normally matte creature.