Okay, after reading up on beekeeper threads I now think I understand what's going on, but if anyone else has encountered this, suggestion are welcome.
This is our second year here. We purchased a pool robot (M4 Supreme) a few months ago.
Two nights ago, I noticed about five bees lighting on it and lovin it to death. I got a closer look and they're def honey bees, not sweat bees (which I also have) or wasps (which i also have and kill regularly) and not hornets (which I also have and kill regularly )
So I though it was weird, but in the interest of agriculture, horticulture, etc., left them be.
They must have phoned home. The next day there were twice as many crawling all over the 'bot, and riffing on my (wet) aquajogging gear.
Today, twice THAT number!
So, feral or kept honey bees have discovered my pool area as a water source, and appear to be addicted to this particular mix of chlorine, the cumulative saltiness, etc.
I really don't want to hurt them, but now they're also crawling on my raft...while I'm in it. I'm having a party in two weeks and have no idea if any of the guests are allergic to bees. I'd like to wean them off the pool if possible before then. (The bees, not the guests
So I put pool water in a bird bath dish away from the pool. No dice. I had to put my aquajogging shoes in the bird bath to get thm over there. Some went, but about five die hards stayed with the 'bot.
My ph is 7.4, FC is dosed to 7.5 and drops to about 4-4.5 before next day's dose, I do use a lot of jack's magic to control iron so there are very high levels of phosphate byproduct. Would any of these things cause this attraction, or is this chlorine/salt combo pretty typical?
I am going to try putting attractants in the bird bath (eg lemon grass oil) and will be storing the foam aquajogging gear in a covered bin.
Are there covers for pool robots that can cloak the scent?
Do any of you have honey bees plaguing your pool and if so, what tricks do you use to manage them?
Thanks in advance for any tips!
This is our second year here. We purchased a pool robot (M4 Supreme) a few months ago.
Two nights ago, I noticed about five bees lighting on it and lovin it to death. I got a closer look and they're def honey bees, not sweat bees (which I also have) or wasps (which i also have and kill regularly) and not hornets (which I also have and kill regularly )
So I though it was weird, but in the interest of agriculture, horticulture, etc., left them be.
They must have phoned home. The next day there were twice as many crawling all over the 'bot, and riffing on my (wet) aquajogging gear.
Today, twice THAT number!
So, feral or kept honey bees have discovered my pool area as a water source, and appear to be addicted to this particular mix of chlorine, the cumulative saltiness, etc.
I really don't want to hurt them, but now they're also crawling on my raft...while I'm in it. I'm having a party in two weeks and have no idea if any of the guests are allergic to bees. I'd like to wean them off the pool if possible before then. (The bees, not the guests
So I put pool water in a bird bath dish away from the pool. No dice. I had to put my aquajogging shoes in the bird bath to get thm over there. Some went, but about five die hards stayed with the 'bot.
My ph is 7.4, FC is dosed to 7.5 and drops to about 4-4.5 before next day's dose, I do use a lot of jack's magic to control iron so there are very high levels of phosphate byproduct. Would any of these things cause this attraction, or is this chlorine/salt combo pretty typical?
I am going to try putting attractants in the bird bath (eg lemon grass oil) and will be storing the foam aquajogging gear in a covered bin.
Are there covers for pool robots that can cloak the scent?
Do any of you have honey bees plaguing your pool and if so, what tricks do you use to manage them?
Thanks in advance for any tips!