05/06/2026
🐝💧 Are bees gathering around your pet bowls, livestock tanks, or even your pool?
As summer approaches and drought conditions continue developing across Eastern Montana, your favorite local beekeepers wanted to share a little helpful advice. During dry conditions—especially in early spring before irrigation gets going and into the hot, dry summer months—honeybees can struggle to find reliable water sources. When that happens, they naturally search anywhere they can find moisture, including places you’d rather they avoid.
One of the best ways to prevent this is by setting out an alternative water source early in the season. A shallow container filled with rocks, corks, sticks, or other floaters gives bees a safe place to land and drink without drowning.
Bees are also naturally attracted to water that contains minerals or a little organic matter, which means they often prefer a more “natural” water source over a freshly cleaned trough or swimming pool. If they discover a good water source first, they’ll usually keep returning to it instead of bothering your animals or outdoor spaces.
A little prevention now can go a long way toward keeping your pets, livestock, pools—and the bees—happy all summer long. ☀️🐝
