Hummingbird feeders with yellow inserts attract because-no surprise here-bees and other insects are evolutionarily drawn to the color yellow. Avoid Feeders with Yellow InsertsĪnother solid piece of advice? Avoiding nectar feeders that feature yellow inserts. And that means more sweet nectar sure to attract bees and wasps.ĭouble-check all bee guards, feeding ports, and all other feeder parts regularly. Remember, if your feeding ports or any other element of the nectar feeder are not perfectly air-tight, you're almost certainly going to be dealing with some level of leakage. When you clean out your hummingbird feeder, you should also take care to inspect for any cracks or leaks. Once you've cleaned it out, rinse the feeder well and ensure it is completely dry before you refill it with fresh hummingbird nectar. You can use a solution of hot water and white vinegar as long as the manufacturer of your hummingbird feeder's cleaning instructions doesn't indicate differently. Our best advice? Keep that hummingbird feeder clean! If possible, schedule a weekly cleaning that's truly thorough. So when that nectar starts to stick to the outside of the feeding ports, you're more likely to deal with bees and other unwanted insects, such as yellow jackets. It's no secret that bees are attracted to sticky, sweet substances, just like the nectar you've provided for your hummingbirds. No matter where you put it, it can help bees swarm elsewhere-so your hummingbirds can dine in peace. To make those plants even more attractive to honey bees, consider adding a small dish of sugar water or syrup near the plants or in a different location entirely. We recommend planting nectar rich flowers like sunflowers, lavender, and marigolds. But, instead of worrying about the bees stealing your hummingbirds' food, you could consider providing an alternative food source for the bees. You didn't install hummingbird feeders to attract bees. Provide Alternative Snack Selections for Honey Bees Related: Should You Change Your Hummingbird Feeder Often? 2. These safeguards should also prevent bees from accessing nectar that's only supposed to be enjoyed b your feathered friends. This style of bird feeder makes access challenging for most bees.Īnother recommendation is to choose a feeder that comes with bee guards or ports that automatically shut when weight is applied. Some feeders are more bee-friendly than others, so when you are shopping for a feeder, look for one that features long narrow tubes. If you still need to purchase a hummingbird feeder, you can ward off swarming bees before they become a problem simply by selecting the right kind of bird feeder. Choose a Saucer Type of Hummingbird Feeder Instead of One With an Inverted Design Whenever you attempt to repel bees, ensure you are simply asking them to congregate elsewhere, not disappear altogether. We rely on them to pollinate our plants, and keeping them safe is very important. Remember, hummingbirds are lovely and adorable, but bees are really important to our planet's ecosystem. That's why the bulk of this article will focus on friendly prevention strategies that simply encourage bees to go elsewhere-not hurt or harm them. How to Keep Bees Away From Hummingbird Feeders Naturallyįirst and foremost, we want to encourage you to use natural, earth-friendly strategies to keep bees out of your hummingbird feeders. These strategies are neither safe nor humane. Never use a pesticide, insecticide, petroleum jelly, or another sticky substance to keep bees away from hummingbird feeders.You can also attract bees to another part of your backyard by building a nectar-rich, bright, and perfectly distracting flower garden for honey bees.If you have a bee problem near your hummingbird feeder, select an inverted hummingbird feeder in a color that isn't yellow, and consider relocating it to a shadier spot. Fortunately, there are tons of totally safe ways to encourage them to swarm elsewhere.
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