Hummingbirds and bees are two of the most beloved birds and insects that frequent backyards and gardens. Their diminutive sizes and energetic personalities have endeared them to people worldwide. However, some gardeners have noticed aggressive behavior between hummingbirds and bees in their yards. This raises the question – can bees harm hummingbirds?
What attracts hummingbirds and bees to gardens?
Hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar inside certain flowers, especially tubular red flowers. They use their long, slender beaks to reach deep inside the blossoms and drink the sweet nectar. Popular flowers for attracting hummingbirds include fuchsias, trumpet vines, salvia, and petunias.
Bees are also strongly attracted to nectar-producing flowers. They gather both nectar and pollen from the blooms to take back to their hives or nests. Bees favor single-petaled flowers with wide landing platforms like daisies, marigolds, zinnias, and cosmos.
So while hummingbirds and bees are both drawn to nectar sources, they tend to prefer different flower shapes. However, there is overlap in their preferences, which can bring the two species into contact and potential conflict.
Signs of conflict between hummingbirds and bees
Some gardeners have witnessed bees aggressively chasing hummingbirds from feeders or flowers. They may see a bee hovering near a feeder and dive-bombing any hummingbird that approaches.
Bees are highly territorial and defensive around their hives and food sources. The presence of hummingbirds appears to activate this territorial behavior in some bees.
Other signs of conflict include:
– Hearing hummingbirds emit high-pitched squeaks or chirps when bees are near
– Noticing missing patches of feathers where bees have stung the hummingbirds
– Observing hummingbirds abandoning favorite nectar sources when bees are present
– Seeing fewer hummingbirds coming to the yard due to the presence of aggressive bees
Do bee stings harm hummingbirds?
Bee stings can certainly cause harm and even potentially be fatal to small hummingbirds. Here are some effects bee stings can have:
– Pain – Bee stings are painful. Even one sting could cause significant discomfort to a tiny hummingbird.
– Swelling – Venom from bee stings causes swelling and inflammation around the sting site. This could impede wing movement or breathing if the swelling is significant.
– Infection – Sting sites may become infected, especially if stung multiple times. Infections could be life-threatening to hummingbirds.
– Toxicity – Hummingbirds are so small that the dose of venom delivered from even one bee sting is enormous relative to their body size. The toxicity could damage their organs or quickly prove fatal.
– Stress – Repeated stinging could significantly stress hummingbirds and cause them to abandon favorite foraging spots. The chronic stress could lead to poor health.
So while a single sting may not always be fatal, it certainly poses a danger and multiple stings amplify that risk. Bee stings should be considered capable of inflicting serious harm.
How to deter bees from hummingbird feeders
If bees become problematic at hummingbird feeders, there are steps you can take to deter bee presence while still attracting hummingbirds:
Use a bee guard
Bee guards are metal grids that surround a feeder, designed to allow hummingbirds access while blocking bees. The grid openings are small enough that bees’ larger bodies cannot fit through. Look for guards specifically sized for hummingbird feeders.
Employ moats
You can create a water-filled moat around feeders to exclude bees. Bees do not like crossing water while hummingbirds will fly over with no issue. Ensure the moat fully surrounds the feeder and is at least 2 inches deep.
Move feeders
Periodically moving feeders to different locations in your yard helps discourage bees that habitually return to the same spot. Bees rely on site fidelity to find food while hummingbirds are adept at discovering relocated feeders.
Use red feeders
Bees have difficulty seeing the color red. Having red feeders can help make them less attractive to bees while remaining enticing to hummingbirds.
Supplement with flowers
Providing bee-attractive flowers around your yard gives bees an alternative food source besides the hummingbird feeders. Good choices are purple, blue, or yellow blooms.
Try scent repellents
Some gardeners have success deterring bees by applying peppermint or clove oil around feeders. The strong scent drives bees away. Reapply these natural oils after each rainfall.
Use feeders with built-in ant moats
Many feeders have a built-in moat primarily designed to keep out ants. These can also be effective at deterring bees without any additional setup.
Dealing with aggressive hive activity
If the bees persistently attacking your hummingbird feeder belong to a nearby hive, you may need to address the hive itself to fully solve the problem. Here are some options:
Identify and remove the hive
Locate the nest and carefully remove it if possible. However, only attempt hive removal yourself if the nest is accessible. Removing large or difficult hives is best left to professionals to avoid injury from defensive bees.
Install a new bee hive
You can install a bee hive box with a docile variety of bees. The presence of this managed hive may help divert the existing aggressive bees away from your feeders. Ensure you place the new hive well away from frequented areas.
Use decoy feeders
Set up feeders with dilute sugar water at the outskirts of your yard to divert bees away from your desired hummingbird feeding locations. The sugar water will help satiate the bees’ need for carbohydrates.
Contact a beekeeper
If there is a beekeepers association in your area, reach out to them for advice. The beekeepers may be able to safely relocate the troublesome hive or replace it with a more docile variety. This helps provide a bee-friendly solution.
Try deterrent sprays
As a last resort if the bees persist, lightly spraying the hive with soap and water, mint oil, or other natural deterrents can temporarily discourage bee activity. However, use deterrent sprays cautiously and sparingly.
Encouraging hummingbirds while discouraging bees
With some planning, you can welcome hummingbirds to your yard while keeping bee interactions to a minimum:
Choose hummingbird-favorite flowers
When picking flowers, select blooms especially appealing to hummingbirds like fuchsias, tubular red flowers, and trumpet vines. Avoid wide single-petaled flowers that strongly attract bees.
Separate feeders from beehives
Locate hummingbird feeders as far away as possible from any beehives or nests on or near your property. The greater the distance, the less likely passing bees will take interest.
Clean feeders regularly
Dirty, sugary feeders attract bees. Cleaning feeders at least once a week with a water vinegar solution prevents buildup of sugary deposits that bees may detect.
Avoid wearing bright colors near feeders
Bright clothing can inadvertently attract bees while tending to feeders. Opt for neutral, light colored clothing that blends into the surroundings when refilling or hanging feeders.
Have plenty of feeders spread out
Give hummingbirds options by placing multiple feeders around your yard instead of concentrating them in one spot. Spreading them out reduces traffic and dilution effects that can attract bees.
Provide water sources
Include a water feature like a fountain, mister, or bird bath in your landscape. Bees require a fresh water source while hummingbirds are also drawn to running or dripping water where they can bathe.
Summary of key points
– Bees can pose a moderate danger to hummingbirds through stinging and other aggressive behavior near food sources.
– Deterring bees from favorite hummingbird feeding spots requires making the area less attractive to bees through methods like moats, moving feeders, and scent repellents.
– If aggressive bees belong to a nearby hive, try working with a beekeeper to relocate the hive or replace it with a more docile variety.
– Encourage hummingbirds while discouraging bees by selecting the right flowers, separating feeder locations, cleaning regularly, and having multiple spread-out feeders.
– With some effort, you can achieve a safe, mutually enjoyable backyard environment for both hummingbirds and bees.
Common Questions
How often do bees sting hummingbirds?
There are no exact statistics on how often bees sting hummingbirds. However, based on bee territorial behaviors and observations by backyard enthusiasts, bee stinging of hummingbirds likely occurs somewhat regularly in yards where both are present. The stinging appears most prevalent when bees hive or nest very close to hummingbird feeders.
What flowers attract hummingbirds but not bees?
Some good options to attract hummingbirds while deterring bees include:
- Fuchsias
- Trumpet vines
- Salvias
- Tubular red flowers like cardinal flower
- Columbines
These tubular and pendulant flowers are perfect for hummingbird beaks but exclude bees.
Do hummingbird feeders attract bees?
Yes, hummingbird feeders can attract bees with their sugar water solution. Bees detect and are drawn to the sugar. The level of bee attraction depends on factors like cleanliness, location, and design of the feeder. Taking measures like regular cleaning and moving feeders helps minimize, but not fully eliminate, bee interest.
How do you treat a bee sting on a hummingbird?
There is little an individual can do to treat a bee sting on a tiny hummingbird. Any capture and handling of an already stressed wild hummingbird would risk further harm. The best approach is to take preventive measures to exclude bees from feeders and flowers hummingbirds are using to reduce stinging risks.
What scent repels bees but not hummingbirds?
Some natural scents that can help repel bees but not negatively impact hummingbirds around feeders include:
- Peppermint oil
- Clove oil
- Citronella oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Lemon and lemongrass oil
Reapply these essential oils around feeders after rain to maintain effectiveness.
Conclusion
Bees and hummingbirds can coexist in backyards when some care is taken to minimize contact between the species. While occasional incidents may be unavoidable, you can greatly reduce bee aggression and stinging risks by making your yard less enticing to bees through feeder placement, flower choices, and deterrents. Maintaining this balance allows you to enjoy both of these special creatures. With smart planning, bees and hummingbirds can delight rather than harm each other in your garden sanctuary.
