Gardeners are being urged to leave a tray of pebbles in their gardens this week.
Though the temperatures have come down a little from the blistering peaks of 32C seen in parts of the UK last week, it’s still going to be hot this week, with temperatures circling around 23-26C for much of the UK.
And that’s still very hot if you’re a bumblebee, which are used to much cooler climates and have already suffered a difficult summer from months of rain misery.
Bumblebees, as well as regular bees and even wasps are essential pollinators which play a vital role in our ecosystem – if they die off, there’s simply nothing left to pollinate crops.
As the World Wildlife Foundation has warned, bumblebee numbers are in massive decline because of habitat loss, pesticides, pollution and of course, climate crisis causing rising temperatures.
Bumblebees are covered in a furry coat which helps protect them in the UK’s usually moderate climate. But as hot summers get ever hotter here, bumblebee populations could be put under even more pressure, the WWF says.
That’s why gardeners are being pushed to leave a tray of water and pebbles in their gardens during the warm weather this week, to give bees a safe place to cool down without risking drowning themselves.
The pebbles are an essential part of the water, ideally in a light, bright tray, because deep pools of water can pose a drowning risk, but the pebbles enable bees to see the water surface and approach it mores safely.
One Express reader, a professional beekeeper, got in touch after our article last week about trays of water to suggest adding pebbles prominently to a light tray.
They said: “I recently read your online article relative to leaving a tray of water out for our many thirsty pollinators.
“I applaud your helpful suggestion, however as a beekeeper of over 60 years,
I would recommend that a few small stones or a small brick be placed in the water on which the pollinators are able to land so that they do not attempt to land on the water surface and consequently drown.
“Also, a moderately deeper vessel will be an improvement because a shallow container will evaporate much more quickly than a deeper tray or bowl. One or many needed, essential pollinators is a loss to us and our environment.”
According to garden blog Lune and Wild, to make a water station for bees you will need:
A shallow dish; Pebbles, marbles, corks (or any other small items you could use) in a variety of sizes if possible, and clean water, tap water is fine.
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Place your pebbles or objects in your shallow dish
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Fill the dish with water to about 2/3 of the way up the pebbles. The stones provide a place for the pollinators to stand while drinking as they cannot swim – so be careful to not submerge them completely.
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Put these in your garden close to your flowers and in a spot sheltered from strong winds.
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Replace the water regularly – tap water is fine – or replenish when empty.
