In addition to drawing hummingbirds, the sweet nectar in hummingbird feeders may also draw in unwelcome insects like wasps and bees. There are a few things you can do to ensure that only hummingbirds visit your hummingbird feeder and keep bees away. This book offers practical advice on how to minimize the number of bees, wasps, and other insects at feeders, along with professional insight into which ones to avoid.
Reasons Hummingbird Feeders Draw Bees
A large number of bee species and hummingbirds primarily get their nourishment from nectar blooms. They are pollinators that visit one flower to the next while feasting on nectar-rich blooms. If you hang a hummingbird feeder in your yard, wasps and bees will probably come for the sweet mixture.
A hummingbird’s main source of food is not the feeder itself. Dr. Tracy Ellis, an entomologist, explains that the sugary syrup that hummingbirds get in their feeders is intended to enhance their regular diet of nectar from flowers.
Conservation scientist Charles van Rees explains, “Sugar is a quick source of energy, so many animals have adapted to take advantage of flower nectars, which the flowers specifically provide to attract pollinators.” “The majority of adult wasps and bees feed mainly on nectar, though they may also collect other foods high in protein, such as pollen, or consume other invertebrates to nourish their young.”
When It’s Difficult to Draw Bees and Wasps
If you see a small number of bees and wasps hovering about the feeder, you generally don’t need to worry. According to van Rees, “wasps and bees will usually mind their own business and are just interested in getting a sugary snack.” But because there’s a danger of being stung, safety may become a problem when there are a lot of bees buzzing about. He clarifies, “There is a chance of an unwanted encounter when there are more of them around.”
It also helps to know the difference between wasps and bees. According to Dr. Ellis, “honey bees are hairier and have pollen clustered on their rear legs, whereas yellow jacket wasps typically have shiny yellow hairless bodies.” Honey bees lose their stinger, which is often left in the skin; removing it quickly can reduce the amount of venom, she says. “Yellow jacket wasps do not lose their stinger like a honey bee and can sting several times if trapped, such as within a piece of clothing or at the bend of an elbow or knee.”
Concerned that wasps and bees may harm hummingbirds? According to van Rees, hummingbirds are much more inclined to assault and eject wasps and bees. He does, however, suggest being aware of a bug that may pose a threat to hummingbirds. Tenodera sinensis, the invasive Chinese mantis, has been reported attacking and catching hummingbirds at feeders, so keep a watch out for them.
Advice for Preventing Bees from Visiting Hummingbird Feeders
Bees and other insects may be kept away from hummingbird feeders in a few different ways. These are some expert techniques to make sure wasps, bees, and other insects stay away.
- Employ a bee moat or bee guard.
Get a hummingbird feeder with a bee guard, or install one on your existing feeder, to restrict access to the delicious treat to only hummingbirds. According to Dr. Ellis, feeders may be equipped with “bee guards,” which cover the aperture with a strong mesh to prevent bees and yellow jackets from getting to the sweet solution. “The bee guard will not prevent long-tonged hummingbirds or hummingbird moths from inserting their siphoning tongue through it.”
Putting water between the feeder and the bees is an additional option. Since bees cannot swim, van Rees suggests adding a bee moat—a tray of water that creates a buffer between the honey supply and any soaring suitors.
- Regularly clean the feeder.
After hanging up the feeder, you need to make sure there is enough food for hummingbirds. It must also be cleaned on a regular basis. According to Dr. Ellis, “to prevent harmful mold growth, change feeders every other day and thoroughly clean them each time.” Hummingbirds may suffer if the feeder is not cleaned often. The hummingbirds will be harmed by the fermenting sweet fluid and the growing mold, according to Dr. Ellis. “Maintaining regular cleanliness of the hummingbird feeder’s exterior and interior is crucial in preventing insects from entering.” - Diminish the sweet mixture around the feeder’s exterior.
The hummingbird feeder’s filling technique may potentially attract uninvited guests. Van Rees advises, “Make sure to check carefully for leaks and avoid letting excess sugar collect on the outside of the feeder during filling.” Removing any sugary leftovers from your feeder can reduce the number of other insects. Dr. Ellis advises making sure your hands and the feeder’s exterior are clear of sugar solution before refilling it. - Give insects and bees water.
Providing a water supply for insects such as wasps, bees, and others helps keep them away from the hummingbird feeder since they need water to thrive. According to van Rees, “muddy puddles and birdbaths will also attract them, and strategically placing those features in your garden may be a good distraction for the bees.” - Plant a Garden for Pollinators.
Flowers that are full of nectar attract bees. One strategy to keep bees away from the hummingbird feeder is to grow plants that appeal to them. Van Rees advises cultivating sunflowers, lavender, coneflowers, and several types of mints.
- Move where the feeder is.
It’s time to remove the hummingbird feeder and move it if you follow all the other advice and find that there are still too many wasps and bees flying about it. These insects may be there for a variety of reasons. According to Dr. Ellis, “there might have been a heatwave or some other event that decreased the amount of alternate food that was available.” “In this instance, the biting insects may be ‘hangry,’ which refers to agitated or short-tempered due to starvation, and preventing the hummingbirds from visiting.”
Bees need time to discover a new food source after moving the feeder. According to van Rees, “bees take time to reorient to new nectar sources, and they have to show their hive mates where they are.” Hummingbirds and bees are both rather visual in their search for food supplies. “As a result, they are less quick to take advantage of feeder movements, whereas hummingbirds should find it quickly.” Hummingbird feeders need be relocated at least 10 feet for this approach to work; Ellis suggests moving them “at least 25 feet, and on the other side of a tree,” thus it usually works best in large yards.
