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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Tucson, Arizona » Carl Hayden Bee Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #138606

Title: HONEY BEES AT YOUR SWIMMING POOL: NOT A GOOD MIX

Author
item Sammataro, Diana

Submitted to: American Bee Journal
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/16/2002
Publication Date: 8/31/2002
Citation: Sammataro, D. Honey bees at your swimming pool. 2002. Our garden. pp5.

Interpretive Summary: Bees can be a problem around swimming pools for backyard gardeners. This article explains techniques for controlling bees around the pools. Techniques to control bees include using soapy water, adding cleaner to evaporative coolers, using vinegar to birdbaths and covering all open water sources.

Technical Abstract: In order to keep bees from becoming a nuisance around residential areas, certain steps must be taken by homeowners. Bees will forage any open water source. Making the water unpalatable, by adding soap or vinegar, will reduce bee visitation. In addition, eliminating bees as they forage on water out of swimming pools will reduce the risk of encountering unwanted bees.