Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Nonprophet on April 30, 2013, 12:16:10 am

Title: Why do bees like urine?
Post by: Nonprophet 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?

Title: Re: Why do bees like urine?
Post by: don2 on April 30, 2013, 12:17:49 am

Same reason they like funky water. see the below thread. :shock:d2

Title: Re: Why do bees like urine?
Post by: hardwood on April 30, 2013, 09:59:20 am

A more important question...what's the honey like?  :-D

Scott

Title: Re: Why do bees like urine?
Post by: Anybrew 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. :)

Title: Re: Why do bees like urine?
Post by: tefer2 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

Title: Re: Why do bees like urine?
Post by: L Daxon 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:

Title: Re: Why do bees like urine?
Post by: nietssemaj on May 01, 2013, 10:46:07 am

Sounds like an alternate definition of 'pissy' bees.

Title: Re: Why do bees like urine?
Post by: Michael Bush on May 01, 2013, 11:39:12 am

"why do fools fall in love"...

Title: Re: Why do bees like urine?
Post by: Finski 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".

.

Title: Re: Why do bees like urine?
Post by: Trot on May 02, 2013, 09:03:59 am

How predictable, when not knowing - make fun... :-D

They are actually seeking and finding salt!

Title: Re: Why do bees like urine?
Post by: Michael Bush 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...