How to Keep Bees Out of Pools and Fountains in Arizona
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If you live in Arizona, you know that bees and water go hand in hand—especially in the scorching summer months. Bees need water to cool their hives and stay hydrated, which often leads them straight to backyard pools, fountains, and even pet and livestock water bowls. While we love our pollinator friends, having a swarm of thirsty bees in your swimming area can be a problem.
So how do you keep bees out of pools and fountains while still giving them the water they need? Here are some beekeeper-approved solutions.
Why Bees Are Drawn to Pools and Fountains
To be frank, we live in THE DESERT! Bees aren’t just randomly buzzing around your pool—they’re looking for reliable water sources to cool their hive, and believe it or not, chlorinated or salty water often contains minerals that bees instinctively seek out. The strong smell of treated water also helps them find it more easily.
In wetter regions, bees gather water from damp soil, puddles, and streams. In desert areas, their natural water sources are often limited, so they go for the next best thing—your backyard oasis.
A 5 gallon bucket of water with floating wine corks is a great water source for bees.
How to Keep Bees Away from Pools and Fountains
1. Provide an Alternative Water Source
One of the most effective ways to deter bees from pools is to give them a better option nearby, but the key is to have it ready before temps are in the 90’s. That mean’s February or March.
Here’s how to do it:
Set up a bee water station – Fill a shallow dish, birdbath, or bucket with fresh water and add floating corks, rocks, or sticks to prevent drowning.
Use dripping faucets or irrigation – Slow, steady drips attract bees and are easier for them to access than large, deep pools.
Keep it consistent – This is VERY IMPORTANT! Bees remember water sources and will return to them daily. Add a dripline from exisiting irrigation to a bucket or birdbath so that you know it gets filled regularly. If you stop refilling their preferred spot, they’ll seek out another—possibly your pool.
2. Make Your Pool Less Attractive
If bees are already visiting your pool, there are ways to make it less appealing:
Use algaecides like Skill-It (get it HERE) – Bees don’t like the change in surface tension caused by these products. If you start it early enough, it can really work. Use about a tablespoon a day.
Reduce strong scents – Bees are drawn to chlorine and salt. Reducing chemical smells or switching to a less-scented pool treatment may help.
Add moving water – Bees prefer still water. Running fountains, waterfalls, or aerators can discourage them from landing.
3. Keep Fountains and Birdbaths Bee-Friendly but Away from People
If you have fountains or birdbaths, place them away from patios and pool areas so bees can gather water without interfering with your outdoor activities. Adding floating plants or placing the water source in a shaded area can help keep bees hydrated without drawing them to high-traffic zones.
4. Relocate Persistent Bees (If Needed)
If a hive has fixated on your pool and won’t budge, you may need to gently encourage them to move:
Gradually move their water source – If bees are already using a birdbath or fountain near your pool, shift it a few feet away every day until it’s far enough from the problem area.
You may need to dry up an existing water source – If you are able to, this is the best option. You can give the bees a new water source away from the old one, and then reintroduce the water once the bees have moved.
Use a mild deterrent – Spraying a small amount of vinegar or lemongrass oil around pool edges or fountains can deter bees without harming them.
Call a local beekeeper – If you suspect a nearby hive is the source of your bee problem, contact a beekeeper who can help identify a solution.
Final Thoughts
Keeping bees out of pools and fountains in Arizona is all about offering a better water source while making your pool less attractive to them. By setting up a dedicated bee water station and tweaking your pool or fountain setup, you can create a win-win situation—your backyard stays bee-free, and the bees stay hydrated where they belong. We are losing bee colonies by the thousands due to heat waves in the summer here in Arizona. Help them survive by allowing them to have access to what they need most to survive here while still enjoying your outdoor spaces.
I’m Here For You
For weekly updates on beekeeping in Arizona and what do do with your bee products, sign up for my newsletter. You’ll also receive a FREE Quick Guide to Beekeeping in Arizona. You’ll love it!
If you would like more personalized help, book a mentorship session with me. Simply send me a message and we can set it up.
Related Posts
How to Keep Bees Out of Pools and Fountains in Arizona
This page may contain affiliate links. Learn more.
If you live in Arizona, you know that bees and water go hand in hand—especially in the scorching summer months. Bees need water to cool their hives and stay hydrated, which often leads them straight to backyard pools, fountains, and even pet and livestock water bowls. While we love our pollinator friends, having a swarm of thirsty bees in your swimming area can be a problem.
So how do you keep bees out of pools and fountains while still giving them the water they need? Here are some beekeeper-approved solutions.
Why Bees Are Drawn to Pools and Fountains
To be frank, we live in THE DESERT! Bees aren’t just randomly buzzing around your pool—they’re looking for reliable water sources to cool their hive, and believe it or not, chlorinated or salty water often contains minerals that bees instinctively seek out. The strong smell of treated water also helps them find it more easily.
In wetter regions, bees gather water from damp soil, puddles, and streams. In desert areas, their natural water sources are often limited, so they go for the next best thing—your backyard oasis.
A 5 gallon bucket of water with floating wine corks is a great water source for bees.
How to Keep Bees Away from Pools and Fountains
1. Provide an Alternative Water Source
One of the most effective ways to deter bees from pools is to give them a better option nearby, but the key is to have it ready before temps are in the 90’s. That mean’s February or March.
Here’s how to do it:
Set up a bee water station – Fill a shallow dish, birdbath, or bucket with fresh water and add floating corks, rocks, or sticks to prevent drowning.
Use dripping faucets or irrigation – Slow, steady drips attract bees and are easier for them to access than large, deep pools.
Keep it consistent – This is VERY IMPORTANT! Bees remember water sources and will return to them daily. Add a dripline from exisiting irrigation to a bucket or birdbath so that you know it gets filled regularly. If you stop refilling their preferred spot, they’ll seek out another—possibly your pool.
2. Make Your Pool Less Attractive
If bees are already visiting your pool, there are ways to make it less appealing:
Use algaecides like Skill-It (get it HERE) – Bees don’t like the change in surface tension caused by these products. If you start it early enough, it can really work. Use about a tablespoon a day.
Reduce strong scents – Bees are drawn to chlorine and salt. Reducing chemical smells or switching to a less-scented pool treatment may help.
Add moving water – Bees prefer still water. Running fountains, waterfalls, or aerators can discourage them from landing.
3. Keep Fountains and Birdbaths Bee-Friendly but Away from People
If you have fountains or birdbaths, place them away from patios and pool areas so bees can gather water without interfering with your outdoor activities. Adding floating plants or placing the water source in a shaded area can help keep bees hydrated without drawing them to high-traffic zones.
4. Relocate Persistent Bees (If Needed)
If a hive has fixated on your pool and won’t budge, you may need to gently encourage them to move:
Gradually move their water source – If bees are already using a birdbath or fountain near your pool, shift it a few feet away every day until it’s far enough from the problem area.
You may need to dry up an existing water source – If you are able to, this is the best option. You can give the bees a new water source away from the old one, and then reintroduce the water once the bees have moved.
Use a mild deterrent – Spraying a small amount of vinegar or lemongrass oil around pool edges or fountains can deter bees without harming them.
Call a local beekeeper – If you suspect a nearby hive is the source of your bee problem, contact a beekeeper who can help identify a solution.
Final Thoughts
Keeping bees out of pools and fountains in Arizona is all about offering a better water source while making your pool less attractive to them. By setting up a dedicated bee water station and tweaking your pool or fountain setup, you can create a win-win situation—your backyard stays bee-free, and the bees stay hydrated where they belong. We are losing bee colonies by the thousands due to heat waves in the summer here in Arizona. Help them survive by allowing them to have access to what they need most to survive here while still enjoying your outdoor spaces.
I’m Here For You
For weekly updates on beekeeping in Arizona and what do do with your bee products, sign up for my newsletter. You’ll also receive a FREE Quick Guide to Beekeeping in Arizona. You’ll love it!
If you would like more personalized help, book a mentorship session with me. Simply send me a message and we can set it up.
