Bee Feeder and Waterer

myminifactory

I designed this bee feeder (not to be confused with the stoic Beefeaters of old) to provide a nice place where bees can hang out in the sun and collect water for their pollination, feeding, and hive-keeping chores. The feeder uses a "wide mouth" mason jar as water container. I used a Ball wide mouth jar with an outside diameter of 3 3/8" (86 mm). In my yard I keep blue orchard bees (BOBs) and green orchard bees (GOBs), both of which need ready sources of water and dirt to make mud walls to protect their eggs from predators and the elements. Their little homes and this freshwater bath are the least I can offer my little friends who helpfully pollinate my garden! Enjoy!