Creating Pollinator Refuge Stations in Gardens: A Guide on Installing Bee Watering Spots
In today's gardens, providing a safe and accessible water source for pollinators is crucial for their survival and the overall health of our ecosystem. DIY bee water stations, or bee cups, offer a simple yet effective solution to this need.
These mini drinking stations, available in metal, porcelain, and glass designs, are designed to hold a small amount of water, typically just a teaspoon, and feature a textured surface for safety. One popular design, created by Jen Rose, are charming porcelain Bee Cups that not only serve their purpose but also make an elegant garden feature.
Bees, essential to our ecosystem, use the water in these stations for an evaporative cooling system in their hive, for feeding larvae, and for diluting thick honey for consumption. By placing these water stations near favourite flowering plants in protected locations, gardeners can encourage more bees and butterflies to visit, leading to increased pollination and supporting healthier plants, flowers, fruits, and overall garden productivity.
A gently trickling water fountain is also a desirable drinking source for bees, as long as the current is weak. However, for smaller pollinators, shallow water containers like terracotta saucers with flat surfaces or small stones provide a safer landing spot. Wine corks, sponges, and floating pond plants can also serve this purpose in a miniature wildlife pond.
Moreover, bee cups can function as a butterfly feeding station by providing a place to put overripe fruits. A DIY bee water station can be created by adding stones or marbles to a bird bath or a shallow saucer. For those who prefer a more unique design, Jen Rose's Bee Watering Stations feature an ultraviolet-reactive glaze that glows pink to bees, making them easier to spot.
Bees play a vital role in our food chain, pollinating a third of all the food we eat and the fibers used to make our clothing. If bees were to die out, humans would experience terrible famine. By creating and maintaining bee water stations, we are taking a small but significant step towards supporting these hardworking creatures and ensuring the health of our gardens and our planet.
Enhancing your home-and-garden, consider integrating sustainable-living practices such as handcrafted bee water stations, or bee cups, to promote a pollution-friendly lifestyle. These eye-catching, functional garden fixtures can serve double duty, acting as attractive porcelain Bee Cups that provide water for essential pollinators while adding charm to your landscaping.
