Bees on Mineral Block?

[KLeaphart]

Today I noticed the 50lb mineral block in one of our pastures has bees all over it suddenly. It’s sitting under a shed so it’s in the shade and out of the rain (which has been non stop for weeks). Any reason they are suddenly all over it? And any tips on getting them to leave without ruining a fairly new block (or getting stung)?

I know feeding loose salt is an option for my horse, but we have a goat and donkey who still need the block. I also noticed my horse had a few bumps on his neck (which I now assume are stings) so I would rather get this figured out before he gets eaten alive:D

Side Note: They could be yellow jackets instead of bees but I didn’t get close enough to check. It’s pouring rain here and running when they come after me will definitely result in face planting in the mud.

[Texarkana]

I used to have the same thing happen from time to time with my plain white salt block. They were definitely honey bees and not yellow jackets. It would happen most frequently to me during dry spells, though, so I assumed they were attracted to the salt and moisture.

This probably isn’t helpful, but I just moved the block several feet away and that seemed to decrease the numbers. Otherwise, the horses didn’t seem to have any issue with the bees. My one girl loses her mind if stung, then swells. If she were getting stung, she would have let me know!

[KLeaphart]

Whoops, thought I responded! @Texarkana thanks for the advice! I moved the block and they haven’t been back since. Maybe they were just passing through. And thankfully my guy is a trooper–as long as he has hay in his belly he’s a happy camper:lol:

[S1969]

I’m guessing you are in a dearth right now - maybe a dry season (except today) and lack of pollen right now - so the bees are eating the sugar that is holding the minerals together because there isn’t much else available.

You could put some sugar water somewhere else for them to feed on - just dissolve 1 part sugar: 1 part water (helps to boil the water and then dump in the sugar)…put it into any sort of shallow pan with a slanted board at one end that will allow them to walk up to the edge and feed without drowning.

Not sure you want to go that far but that’s probably what they want - not really the mineral block.

ETA: about them passing through - it’s possible a swarm stopped to feed on their way elsewhere. If they are gone, maybe not necessary to feed - but if it happens again you could try feeding to draw them away from your horses. They would be so happy!

[Jim_in_PA]

Honeybees in particular crave the minerals and with the rain you mention, that created a wet source for them. You really don’t need to worry about them…they will not bother your horses nor will they bother you unless you hurt them. Moving the block can certainly help because of how honeybees navigate. Just do the move in the evening; not during the day when they are gathering what they are gathering.

[KLeaphart]

@S1969

You could put some sugar water somewhere else for them to feed on - just dissolve 1 part sugar: 1 part water (helps to boil the water and then dump in the sugar)…put it into any sort of shallow pan with a slanted board at one end that will allow them to walk up to the edge and feed without drowning.

@S1969 If they come back I’ll definitely try this! They are a lot of beekeepers around my area (yay for local honey) so I’m sure they will come back around at some point.

[KLeaphart]

@Jim_in_PA

Moving the block can certainly help because of how honeybees navigate. Just do the move in the evening; not during the day when they are gathering what they are gathering.

@Jim_in_PA Good to know for next time; dragging it with a lunge line (to stay far away from the bees) was quite difficult:lol:

[Jim_in_PA]

Sugar water isn’t the best idea to attract them to a different water source. Bees crave minerals. Our honeybee “watering stations” here (my other half keeps bees) generally get some salt added to the water which is in a dish that’s filled with small river stones…the “gunkier” the better. Bees prefer “nasty/skanky” water…and/or chlorinated swimming pools, but that’s another separate situation. Sugar water is fed to honeybees in new colonies to help them have the energy to make wax comb or when there’s a dearth of nectar available, but it has to be in specific dissolutions, depending on the time of year. It’s not fed from a dish, usually, either.

[S1969]

@Jim_in_PA

Sugar water isn’t the best idea to attract them to a different water source. Bees crave minerals. Our honeybee “watering stations” here (my other half keeps bees) generally get some salt added to the water which is in a dish that’s filled with small river stones…the “gunkier” the better. Bees prefer “nasty/skanky” water…and/or chlorinated swimming pools, but that’s another separate situation. Sugar water is fed to honeybees in new colonies to help them have the energy to make wax comb or when there’s a dearth of nectar available, but it has to be in specific dissolutions, depending on the time of year. It’s not fed from a dish, usually, either.

Yes, I understand. I keep bees also.

I don’t put my sugar solution in a dish, because I have a hive feeder. But if I was trying to lure them away from a mineral block, it might work so long as you give them a way in and out so they don’t drown.

[Jim_in_PA]

True, you very will might be able to bribe them with some sweet stuff!