Having a birdbath in your garden is one of the kindest ways gardeners can help birds stay hydrated, but it is important to know that it can be risky for other wildlife. Birds can splash around in a birdbath without any danger, but bees also need water.
As the weather becomes warmer, they can be tempted to try to drink from birdbaths. Birdbaths are often too large and smooth for bees to sit on comfortably, and it is very common for them to slip and end up drowning in the deep water. Not only can a birdbath kill bees, but the dead insects can also contaminate the water and could cause birds drinking from it to become incredibly sick or even die.
However, Gena Murray, a gardener and founder of Gigi’s Garden Tips,, has shared a simple way to prevent birdbaths from harming bees and even make them safe for these fuzzy creatures.
She said: “Simply put corks in your bird bath to give bees a safe place to land and drink without drowning. It’s a great way to reuse those wine corks!”
Winecorks will float and are heavy enough for bees to land on safely so they can drink water without danger of drowning.
The texture of winecorks is perfect for bees, as they have a lot of grip, so bees that land on them will not risk falling in the water.
It simply serves as a small raft for bees, making it easier for them to access water, so they are more likely to come into a garden and pollinate throughout spring.
How to use protect bees from birdbaths in spring
At this time of year, gardens can often have hundreds of bees buzzing around them, so it is often not enough to just place one wine cork in a birdbath.
It is much better to place several corks in the garden and give them multiple landing points so bees can drink without overcrowding each other.
Gena said: “Adding more than one cork is important and necessary because they naturally float together, forming a small raft. This creates a larger, more stable surface for bees to land on, making it safer.”
If you are not much of a wine drinker, then you can also use small sticks and stones instead. Just make sure they sit above the water line and are steady enough not to fall over.
Another simple way to help bees is to use a shallow birdbath instead, or you can also add a small bee bath to your garden in order to protect them throughout spring and summer.
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