Want to enjoy our pool. 22x52 Intex . Saltwater system. Finally got rid of algae and now we want to know if anyone has any good ideas about how to discourage Honey Bees from using it as a water source.
Honey Bees
- Thread starter game
- Start date
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,178
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
Oh no! I meant to ask if anyone knows what to do about honey bees around the pool. Sorry. How do I edit it?
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,178
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
Honey bees are kind of a special case in that they usually have a hive somewhere nearby. Do you know of any hives? Flowers they like that are close? The worst we had was yellow jackets for which there are a lot or remedies that work. I think we have bee-keepers on the forum hopefully someone comes along with some advice.
Be careful when it comes to honey bees, yes they can be a nuisance, but they are a very important part of our eco system. If you find that you have a large hive, it’s best to call a local bee keeper to have it moved. 
I'm only a year in to backyard beekeeping but from what I understand bees need the water to cool their hive on hot days, so there is likely a hive near by. Once they find a good source of water they will keep coming back to the same spot with their sisters. They take the water back to the hive and start fanning the air to cool off with evaporation.
Hopefully more knowledgeable members have some easy methods for discouraging them. I would suggest making sure they don't have an easy landing place to stay while sipping water (pool noodles or toys floating, etc). They don't get in the water and drown easily, so if there isn't an easy/safe place to land next to the water they'll move on. Maybe if there was more water surface movement it would be too risky to be worth stopping by.
For my own bees I keep a water source between their hives and my pool and haven't had any issues yet. FWIW honeybees aren't very defensive when left alone except for right by their hive...I know this doesn't help if they are always flying around you and your guests.
Hopefully more knowledgeable members have some easy methods for discouraging them. I would suggest making sure they don't have an easy landing place to stay while sipping water (pool noodles or toys floating, etc). They don't get in the water and drown easily, so if there isn't an easy/safe place to land next to the water they'll move on. Maybe if there was more water surface movement it would be too risky to be worth stopping by.
For my own bees I keep a water source between their hives and my pool and haven't had any issues yet. FWIW honeybees aren't very defensive when left alone except for right by their hive...I know this doesn't help if they are always flying around you and your guests.
I saw that the people who live 2 houses over from us have bee boxes. I am thinking about making a bee bath for them to sit or hang at my fence line away from the pool. And, I have peppermint oil on the way.
You might try adding some lemongrass oil too. The mint/lemongrass combo seems to attract them for me, and smells good for us as well.
A lot of information about bees and bee behavior in this thread https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/any-beekeepers-here.170752/
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