Shallow Water Dish for Bees: Pebble Filled Dishes in the Garden
A shallow water dish for bees offers foragers a drink on hot days. The USDA Forest Service notes that many bees need water in addition to nectar, and Colorado State suggests a shallow dish with pebbles so bees can land and leave with ease.
The short answer
Fill a shallow tray with pebbles and add water just to the tops of the stones. Set it near flowers in sun with light afternoon shade. Dump and refill it every few days so mosquito larvae never mature. Honey bees use these dishes most.
Why do bees need a water dish?
Bees drink, and they drink more on hot days. Oregon State says shallow trays with pebbles can help honey bees during a heat wave. Colorado State notes that bees also drink from drip lines and sprinklers. A dish is a steady spot that never shuts off. Read how bees work an outdoor garden in what roles do bees play in outdoor cannabis.
How do you set up a pebble dish?
A plant saucer or pie tin works. Add pebbles, marbles or flat stones. NC State Extension in Beaufort County suggests filling water just to the tops of the pebbles. Oregon State says pebbles stop workers from drowning, and Maine Extension adds that rocks give bees a place to land.
Where should the dish go?
Place it near flowers. The Beaufort County office says bees and butterflies often prefer water at ground level. Full sun warms water fast and deep shade grows algae, so sun with light afternoon shade works well. Learn how sun and shade vary in garden microclimates for cannabis.
| Step | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dish | Shallow tray with pebbles | Colorado State, Oregon State |
| Water level | Just to the pebble tops | NC Beaufort |
| Place | Near flowers, light afternoon shade | NC Beaufort |
| Refresh | Every few days | Colorado State, Maine |
How to: step by step
- Pick a shallow saucer or tray.
- Fill it with pebbles or stones.
- Pour water just to the tops of the stones.
- Set it near flowers at ground level.
- Dump, rinse and refill every couple of days.
Troubleshooting
Green water: move the dish out of deep shade and rinse it.
No bees visiting: set it closer to blooms and companion plants when growing marijuana.
Want to reuse roof water: see rainwater for cannabis.
A small dish helps
Bees find water fast when it sits near flowers. Kind Seed Co shares more garden notes for growers who plant for pollinators.
Sources
- Bees, USDA Forest Service
- Attracting native bees, Colorado State University Extension
- Provide water for pollinators, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
- How to help bees survive a heat wave (EM 9887), Oregon State University Extension
- Create a summer water station for birds and bees, N.C. Cooperative Extension Beaufort County
FAQ
Do bees drink from bird baths?
They can. Colorado State notes bees drink from many sources and suggests a shallow dish with pebbles so bees can land and leave with ease.
How often should the water be changed?
Colorado State says drain and refill every few days so mosquito larvae do not develop. Maine suggests 2 to 3 times a week in warm weather.
Should the dish be in sun or shade?
NC Beaufort suggests sun with light afternoon shade. Full sun warms water quickly and deep shade invites algae.
Do bumble bees use water dishes?
Oregon State says bumble bees are not likely to use trays, and trays are not likely to help ground or cavity nesting bees.
How deep should the water be?
Just to the tops of the pebbles, as the NC Beaufort County office suggests, so bees can stand while they drink.
