Not Just For Decorating Walls — Use Thrifted Dishes To Attract Bees
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It's always fascinating to watch bees buzzing around your yard, and having them around will certainly benefit all your plants, as they move from bloom to bloom and spread pollen. But flowers aren't the only thing these pollinators need from your yard. They also need a reliable water source, and a simple bee bath can provide it. So, if you want to attract more of the types of beneficial bees you want in your garden, it helps to have one. Best of all, you can take a tip from Vivi June on TikTok and make one in just a few minutes with an unlikely thrift-store find: decorative dishes.
Next time you're at the thrift store, take a look at those pretty decorative plates that have become a favorite wall decor for many people. To make something similar to what the creator did, you'll want one large plate and two or three small decorative ones, making sure the tiny ones fit comfortably on the larger one. You'll also want some pebbles or small stones used to top off indoor plant pots. You might like these gravel pebbles from the YISZM store or perhaps these Hoffman alabaster stone chips. The stones give bees a safe place to land while drinking and create shallow spots that reduce the risk of drowning.
Assembling your thrifted DIY bee bath
This project is so quick and easy that it will take you just a few minutes to assemble. You'll probably spend more time at the thrift store choosing just the right dishes. All you have to do is arrange the smaller plates on the larger one, then fill each with whatever pebbles you've chosen. Then add water to each smaller dish, making sure the level isn't higher than the top of the stones. Bees need somewhere to perch at the water's edge, so don't completely submerge the landing spots. Now all that's left is to find somewhere to place your DIY bee bath.
@vivi_june_20 This is the third bee bath that I made from items I picked up from the thrift store. Check out Part One to see what else I got! #rvlife
Ideally, position this little drinking station near flowers in full bloom that are already attracting bees. You can place it on the ground in a flower bed, among potted flowers, or on a stable paver or overturned plant pot to keep it elevated. A partly shady spot is best so that the shallow water and the pebbles don't get too hot. Top up the water regularly, so your bee bath never runs dry. A consistent supply of water will help ensure the bees keep coming back. Finally, you might also like to pop in a mosquito dunk as an easy solution for keeping those pests from multiplying in the shallow water.