DIY Bee Bath: A Simple Way to Help Pollinators This Summer

A handful of wine corks creates safe landing pads for thirsty bees.

Looking for an excuse to open a bottle of wine?

Tell everyone it's for the bees.

One of the easiest ways to help pollinators in your backyard is by providing a safe source of fresh water. While flowers get most of the attention, bees need water too—especially during the hot days of summer.

The good news? Creating a bee bath takes just a few minutes and you may already have everything you need.

What You'll Need

  • A shallow dish, bird bath, pie plate, or metal pan

  • Water

  • A handful of wine corks (or small rocks or pieces of wood)

That's it.

The corks float on the surface, giving bees a safe place to land while they drink. Without a landing spot, bees can easily slip into the water and drown.

Our bee bath is tucked among rosemary, lavender, and other pollinator-friendly herbs in the Pollinator Apothecary.

How to Make a Bee Bath

  1. Fill a shallow dish with fresh water.

  2. Add several wine corks and allow them to float.

  3. Place your bee bath near flowers, herbs, or other pollinator-friendly plants.

  4. Refill with fresh water as needed throughout the summer.

Rosemary is a favorite in our apothecary garden—and the bees seem to agree.

We tucked ours into our little apothecary garden among the rosemary, lavender, and other bee-friendly herbs. Within days, the bees had already discovered it.

Why Bees Need Water

Just like us, bees need water to survive.

Honey bees use water to:

  • Stay hydrated

  • Cool the hive during hot weather

  • Help regulate humidity inside the colony

A reliable water source can make a big difference during Nebraska's hottest summer months.

A Few Bee Bath Tips

  • Keep the water shallow.

  • Refresh the water regularly.

  • Avoid deep containers without landing spots.

  • Place it near flowering plants for easy access.

And if you happen to need to finish another bottle of wine to gather enough corks...

The bees appreciate your sacrifice.

Happy gardening! 🐝🍷🌿

Visiting the Farm?

You'll find pollinator-friendly herbs, wildflowers, and our own bee bath tucked into the Pollinator Apothecary during your next visit. Grab a bee veil, scan the QR codes, and wander the paths while you're here.

Kathy Suchan