Nectar guard tips are small plastic tubes that can be placed on the end of hummingbird feeders to prevent bees and other flying insects from accessing the nectar. They work by having small slits that are sized to only allow a hummingbird’s slender tongue to reach the nectar. But do they really work as advertised?
What are nectar guard tips?
Nectar guard tips, sometimes called bee guards, are plastic tips that fit onto the end of hummingbird feeder ports. They typically have 2-4 vertical slits that are long enough for a hummingbird’s tongue to reach through, but too narrow for bees and other insects.
The slits are designed to allow hummingbirds easy access to nectar while physically blocking bees and wasps. This prevents the larger insects from draining the feeder and potentially spreading diseases between feeders.
Nectar guard tips are inexpensive, with most costing $1-3 for a set. They’re an easy addition to any hummingbird feeder and many feeders now come with built-in guard tips. They’re reusable and last through multiple nectar refills.
Do they work at keeping bees away?
Most experts and hummingbird enthusiasts agree that yes, nectar guard tips are generally effective at keeping bees and wasps away from feeders.
The slender slits physically prevent larger insects from accessing the nectar. Bees and wasps have mouthparts that are too big to fit through the openings. The slits are designed specifically to match the size of a hummingbird’s tongue.
In addition, bees tend to be deterred by the plastic guard even without trying to access the nectar. The tip essentially mimics the effect of a fake flower, which bees quickly learn to avoid after unsuccessful attempts.
Studies on nectar guard effectiveness
Scientific studies have looked at how well nectar guards work at excluding bees:
- A 2016 study tested four common nectar guard types. All models prevented bee access to the nectar when properly attached to the feeders.
- Another 2016 study found that specially designed Bee Baffler guards prevented bees from accessing nectar 98.88% of the time.
- Guards with more slits were slightly more effective than those with fewer slits.
Researchers concluded properly installed guards are highly effective at restricting bee access. However, they noted that damaged, ill-fitting, or improperly attached guards reduced effectiveness.
Do hummingbirds have any trouble using them?
Most evidence indicates hummingbirds are easily able to access nectar through slitted guard tips. This is not surprising since they are designed specifically to match hummingbird anatomy.
Potential issues could include:
- Very young hummingbirds may have slight difficulty learning to insert their tongue in the slits. But they quickly learn.
- Guards with fewer slits may require more precision from hummingbirds. 4 slits appears ideal.
- Damaged or ill-fitting guards may impede birds from accessing nectar. Proper installation is key.
However, multiple studies found no significant difference in nectar consumption by hummingbirds accessing feeders with or without guard tips. The birds readily adapted to the guards.
Pros of using nectar guard tips
Here are some of the main benefits of adding nectar guard tips to your feeders:
- Deters bees and wasps – Keeps them from draining nectar and spreading diseases between feeders.
- Saves nectar – Prevents wasted nectar stolen by bees that hummingbirds can’t access.
- No effect on hummingbirds – Does not impede nectar feeding by hummingbirds.
- Inexpensive – Low cost addition to help protect nectar.
- Reusable – Guards last through multiple nectar refills.
- Prevents buildup on feeder tips – Slits prevent bee saliva/nectar buildup.
For a minimal investment, nectar guards offer an effective way to help keep feeder nectar accessible for hummingbirds but protect it from bees and wasps.
Cons of nectar guards
Potential disadvantages of using nectar guard tips include:
- Can fall off – Guards can detach from the feeder and get lost.
- Require proper installation – Ill-fitting or loose guards reduce effectiveness.
- Need occasional replacement – Guards may need replaced once or twice per season.
- Can interfere with feeding perches – Some feeder styles, the guards impact accessing perches.
- Extra part to clean – Requires periodic cleaning like other feeder parts.
However, most of these issues are minor and avoided with proper installation and feeder maintenance. The benefits appear to clearly outweigh the potential drawbacks.
Tips for using nectar guards effectively
Follow these tips to maximize the effectiveness of nectar guard tips on your hummingbird feeders:
- Carefully follow package directions for proper installation.
- Check that guards fit securely into feeder ports and cannot slide up or down.
- Make sure slits are properly oriented vertically for hummingbird access.
- Replace any damaged or missing guards promptly.
- Consider using guards with 4 slits instead of 2 for easier hummingbird access.
- Clean guards when changing nectar to prevent buildup.
- Remove guards when bringing feeders indoors for cleaning or storage.
Conclusion
The weight of evidence from both experts and research indicates that nectar guard tips are highly effective at preventing bees and other insects from draining hummingbird feeders.
Well-designed guards with properly sized slits do not appear to impede hummingbird feeding. The only potential difficulties come from user error by installing damaged or ill-fitting guards.
Nectar guards are inexpensive and reusable. For just a couple dollars, you can protect your feeder nectar investment and help ensure it lasts longer for the hummingbirds. The simple addition of guard tips is one of the best ways to deter bees and get the most out of your hummingbird feeding.
