Summer Support of Pollinators

Summer has officially arrived, and with the change in season comes a change in the temperatures. While we commonly think of planting flowers and larval plants for our native pollinators and honeybees, we often overlook a critical need of bees and butterflies for a water source. Not only do bees need this water to drink, but honeybees will collect water to bring back to the hive. The bees distribute droplets of water around the nest, which works in parallel with the fanning to create the equivalent of honey bee AC, or air conditioning. As temperatures rise to extreme heat levels, more honey bees will start to forage for water.

We can provide water to support pollinators in a couple of ways. The first option is to provide a shallow dish of water, similar to what is shown in the photo, for bees and butterflies to drink from. You could also add some rocks in the dish for additional landing places for the pollinators to drink and prevent drowning. Another option is to provide puddles or areas of wet mud for pollinators to drink from. A puddle can be as simple as an area under drip irrigation that stays damp or a location you keep damp by watering it daily. These puddles provide both water and minerals necessary for pollinators to survive. Help keep your pollinators hydrated this summer!

Have questions? Contact our office where our Horticulture Extension Agent will assist you with questions.

Phone: (316) 321-9660

Email: callae@ksu.edu