It’s a common issue for hummingbird lovers to find bees swarming their feeders, competing with hummers for the sugary nectar. While hummingbirds are highly desired backyard visitors, bees can quickly become a nuisance at feeders. The good news is that there are effective methods to deter bees and prevent them from overrunning your hummingbird feeding station. With some simple adjustments and deterrents, you can have a feeder that welcomes hummers but discourages bees.
Why Bees Are Attracted to Hummingbird Feeders
Bees, especially honey bees, are strongly attracted to the sweet liquid in hummingbird feeders. They have a highly developed sense of smell and can detect the sugary scent from long distances. Bees have a carbohydrate-rich diet consisting of flower nectar and pollen. A hummingbird feeder, filled with sugar water, is essentially a very concentrated and abundant nectar source. Because it requires no work to gather the nectar, it is much more efficient for bees to visit a feeder than to fly from flower to flower. Other types of bees, like carpenter and bumble bees, will also seek out the sweet treats found in hummingbird feeders.
Drawbacks of Bees at Hummingbird Feeders
While bees themselves are beneficial pollinators, having too many at your hummingbird feeder can create problems:
- Bees can quickly drain the nectar, leaving nothing for hummingbirds.
- Large numbers of bees may intimidate or scare away hummingbirds.
- Bees swarming the feeder make it difficult for hummers to access the nectar ports.
- Bees carry diseases that can infect and harm hummingbird populations.
- Bee stings are a potential safety hazard, especially for children.
- Honeybees that constantly return to the feeder may decide to build a hive nearby.
For these reasons, it is best to take measures to discourage bees from using your feeders. The goal is to make your yard as bee-unfriendly as possible so hummingbirds can feed in peace.
Tips to Deter Bees from Hummingbird Feeders
Here are some of the most effective methods to prevent bees at your hummingbird feeding station:
Use Feeders with Bee Guards
Specialty hummingbird feeders come equipped with integrated bee guards. These are ring- or wedge-shaped barriers made of plastic or metal that surround the nectar ports. The guards have openings large enough for hummingbird beaks but too small for bees to access. This physically blocks bees from being able to reach the nectar.
| Brand | Feeder Style |
|---|---|
| Aspects | 616 HummZinger Excel |
| Perky-Pet | 710-1 Vista Bloom |
| Woodlink | MINI3MINI Inverted Bee Guard Nectar Feeder |
When shopping for a hummingbird feeder with a built-in bee guard, look for a fully enclosed guard design that completely surrounds each feeding port. This offers maximum protection compared to just having a top guard piece.
Use a Bee Guard Accessory
If your current feeder lacks bee guards, look for guards sold as an add-on accessory. Brands like Beepod and First Nature make snap-on bee guards that fit onto most standard feeder ports. These accessories are easy to install and provide the same deterrent effect as integrated guards.
Choose Feeder Placement Carefully
Where you hang your hummingbird feeder can make a big difference in the amount of bee traffic it gets. Follow these tips:
- Hang feeders in shady spots away from direct sunlight.
- Place feeders near trees, shrubs, and flowers that attract hummingbirds but not bees.
- Avoid locations near bee nests or hives.
- Position feeders at least 5-10 feet away from hive entrances if hives are nearby.
- Hang feeders away from other food sources like fruit trees that may attract bees.
Opt for locations that give hummers easy access but make the feeder inconvenient for bees to locate and travel to. Placing feeders in discreet, semi-secluded areas with some natural cover is ideal.
Use Red Colored Feeders
Studies show bees have poor vision in the color red compared to other shades. Red wavelengths are less stimulating and attractive to them. Hummingbirds, on the other hand, are highly drawn to the color red. Choose vibrant red colored feeders to create a visual target that appeals to hummers but not bees. Adding red accents like flower decorations can further enhance the color effect.
Clean Feeders Regularly
Bees are sensitive to odors and scents. Frequently cleaning your feeder with mild soap and water eliminates old nectar smells that can attract bees. Let your feeder dry fully before refilling. Clean at least every 2-3 days to stop bees from developing a habit of visiting that location.
Use Bee Repellents
There are a handful of natural bee repellents on the market made specifically for deterring bees from feeders:
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Bees-Nix | Contains essential oil blend offensive to bees |
| Bees Off! | Formula with peppermint oil and lemongrass oil repellents |
| Bye Bye Bees | All-natural repellent spray made with citrus oils |
These products can be directly applied around the feeder ports. Reapply after cleaning or rain to maintain effectiveness. The strong scent overwhelms bee olfactory sensors causing avoidance.
Try Using Less Sweet Nectar
The standard 1:4 sugar-to-water ratio creates an intensely sweet nectar. Bees have a stronger sweet tooth compared to hummingbirds. Trying diluting the nectar to a 1:5 or 1:6 ratio. This slightly less sugary concentration is still enticing to hummers but carries less appeal for bees. You can also supplement the nectar with a small amount of clear, unsweetened electrolyte powder.
Provide a Bee Feeder Source Away from Hummingbird Feeders
Rather than deterring bees, another approach is appeasing them. Set up a separate bee feeder at a distant spot on your property. Fill it with a thin sugar or honey water solution. The additional nectar source satisfies their cravings, giving them an alternative to frequenting your hummingbird feeders. As the bees take to their own feeder, they will be less inclined to seek out yours meant for hummingbirds.
When to Get Help with Removal
In some cases, bees around feeders can get out of hand and require professional removal. Contact a local beekeeper to safely eliminate hives if:
- A full hive with comb has formed on or very near your property.
- Large swarms repeatedly cluster on feeders, trees, or structures.
- Bees exhibit aggressive behavior and pose a stinging risk.
- You discover hives belonging to Africanized “killer” bees.
Removing the colony humanely will instantly solve an infestation. For non-emergency issues, keep implementing deterrents and hopefully the stubborn bees will eventually leave your feeder alone. With a bit of patience and experimentation, you’ll find the right techniques to have a bee-less, hummingbird-friendly yard.
Conclusion
Preventing bees from taking over your hummingbird feeder is certainly achievable. Physical barriers like integrated bee guards are highly effective deterrents. Strategic feeder placement, color choices, cleaning diligently, scattering repellents, and diluting the nectar’s sweetness can all help transform your feeder into an exclusive spot for hummingbirds to dine in peace. If extremely persistent bees continue posing problems, bring in a professional beekeeper to relocate hives away from your property. With smart adjustments and deterrent additions, you can harness the joy of hummingbird feeding without the headache of pesky bees.
