water sources in winter

[Zoot]

I'd be curious to hear some solutions to this problem, particularly in areas with climate similar to Maryland where winter weather can range from sub-zero at nights to occcasional thaws up into the 50's. My experience with putting water out for the bees (during the very hot weather this summer) has been mixed so far - they seem to be very picky about their sources.

[Kathyp]

i have stock tank heaters.  i'm thinking that if that is the only water available, that's what they will use when they fly.  of course, they probably wont' be flying on the days the tanks are frozen?

[Finsky]

Bees need badly water if they have brood.

My bees are in hives from Ochtober to March 6-7 months and they cannot come out to take water. So bees manage well without water during spring. Ofcourse they like water if they get from rain or somewhere.

[Horns Pure Honey]

The heated stock tanks for my horses work well becuase they are closer than are pond which usally wont freeze by drain pipes, that is if you have one, you could also use one of those heated dog bowls that plug in if u had an outlet handy. :)

[Zoot]

What's interesting is that we have a pond as does our neighbor and I've never seen one of my bees near them. I'm going to keep some stock tanks full this winter and, yes, maybe even try a heated dog bowl and leave it at that.

[Jerrymac]

I heard..... read..... somewhere that the bees probably use condensation in the hive if they need water in the winter.

[Finsky]

When bees uncap the store cell moisture enters the strong sugar and dilutes sugar. So they get water in  hive.

Condensation is somewhere in edges and bees cannot go there in cold hive.

[2-Wheeler]

This will be my first wintering with a new hive. We have a year-round irrigation ditch which always has water flowing exept for just a few weeks in the coldest part of winter when it freezes. The ditch is only a few meters from the hive. We also have several ponds that are within 1/4 mile of the hive with year-round water.

I'm hoping that there is no need to provide any extra water during the time the ditch and ponds are frozen. Is there any reason for concern?

here is the ditch in springtime:


and here is the same ditch in January: