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Author Topic: Why do bees like urine?  (Read 14368 times)

Offline Nonprophet

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Why do bees like urine?
« on: April 30, 2013, 12:16:10 am »
Ok, this is a question I've been wanting to ask for a few years now.....

We live in a cabin in a fairly remote area. No sewer or septic--we use a composting toilet. For convenience sake, I usually pee outside when the weather is nice, and there's one tree in particular I like to visit. Well, we've had a few feral hives near the cabin (and one IN the cabin under the eaves for the past two years) which is one of the inspirations for me getting into beeking--and I've noticed that the bees will come and drink the urine at the base of this one tree I use a lot--in fact they seem to really like it. There's a creek just a 100 yards away so there's other water for them to drink, and no, I'm not diabetic..... :-D

Anyone else observe this? Anyone have any ideas on why they like urine?
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Offline don2

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Re: Why do bees like urine?
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2013, 12:17:49 am »
Same reason they like funky water. see the below thread. :shock:d2
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Offline hardwood

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Re: Why do bees like urine?
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2013, 09:59:20 am »
A more important question...what's the honey like?  :-D

Scott
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Offline Anybrew

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Re: Why do bees like urine?
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2013, 07:19:35 pm »
Yo Nonprophet, I admit it, I have a favourite spot outside to have a leak too, and yes I have seen Bee's happily collecting the stream.

I hope thats not why my Honey has that Golden Colour, darn I hope not. :)
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Offline tefer2

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Re: Why do bees like urine?
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2013, 09:27:00 pm »
Quote from: hardwood on April 30, 2013, 09:59:20 am
A more important question...what's the honey like?  :-D

Scott

 :lau: X:X
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Offline L Daxon

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Re: Why do bees like urine?
« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2013, 12:12:57 am »
I'd say you have lazy bees who just don't want to fly the 100 yards to the creek. :roll:
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Offline nietssemaj

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Re: Why do bees like urine?
« Reply #6 on: May 01, 2013, 10:46:07 am »
Sounds like an alternate definition of 'pissy' bees.
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Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Why do bees like urine?
« Reply #7 on: May 01, 2013, 11:39:12 am »
"why do fools fall in love"...
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Offline Finski

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Re: Why do bees like urine?
« Reply #8 on: May 01, 2013, 11:07:46 pm »
.
There  out there 1000 bees taking water from soil and two (2)suck urine. So it seems that "bees like".

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Offline Trot

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Re: Why do bees like urine?
« Reply #9 on: May 02, 2013, 09:03:59 am »
How predictable, when not knowing - make fun... :-D

They are actually seeking and finding salt!
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Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Why do bees like urine?
« Reply #10 on: May 02, 2013, 10:21:53 am »
>They are actually seeking and finding salt!

Perhaps.  However I know of no proof of this.  Urine mixed with sugar water has been used for beelining bees for centuries...
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