Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that bring joy to backyard bird watchers everywhere. Their swift, acrobatic flying and hovering at feeders is fascinating to observe. While providing food for hummingbirds is rewarding, a common concern is that the sugar water or nectar also attracts ants, bees, wasps, and other unwanted bugs. So does hummingbird food really attract more bugs to your yard? Let’s take a closer look at this issue.
Quick Answers
In short, yes – hummingbird feeders and nectar can attract certain insects looking for a sugary meal. Bees, wasps, ants, and flies may glom onto your feeder. However, there are several steps you can take to minimize this problem:
- Use a feeder style that limits insect access
- Add red food coloring to the nectar
- Situate the feeder in a shady spot
- Clean the feeder thoroughly and regularly
- Consider using a bee guard or moat
- Supplement feeder nectar with insect-attracting flowers
- Use an ant trap orapply Vaseline as a barrier
With some creative solutions, you can enjoy watching hummingbirds while keeping bothersome bugs at bay.
Why Bugs Are Attracted to Hummingbird Feeders
To understand why insects swarm hummingbird nectar, let’s look at what draws them in:
- Sugar content – The main ingredient in homemade nectar is white refined sugar. The 10-25% sugar concentration is like a magnet for insects looking for a sweet treat.
- Color – Brightly colored feeders are visually attractive to bugs who associate red with flower nectar.
- Scent – Some small insects can smell the sweet scent of sucrose and fructose from yards away.
- Exposed nectar – Overflowing nectar and leaks attract more insects than enclosed feeders.
Basically, bugs see your hummingbird setup as a 24-hour diner for sugar cravings. Ants may march in lines up the feeder poles. Bees and wasps often wiggle their way into narrow openings. Flies land on top to drink leaking nectar.
Common Pests at Hummingbird Feeders
Below are some of the most frequent insect pests that bypass hummingbird feeders:
Bees
Bees are drawn to the sweet smell and taste of nectar. Scout bees will recruit others back to the feeder. Stings are uncommon, but possible.
Wasps
Similar to bees, wasps zero in on the sugar. Some species, like yellowjackets, are more aggressive and likely to sting.
Ants
Ant trails are a common problem. The ants climb poles and raid the nectar supply. They rarely harm hummingbirds though.
Flies
Flies are messy eaters and commonlyfound drowned in open feeders. They reproduce rapidly, so flies are tough to eliminate.
Tips to Limit Bugs at Hummingbird Feeders
If you’re plagued by insect pests at your hummingbird feeder, there are several tactics you can try to deter them:
Use Feeders that Limit Access
The style of feeder impacts how easily bugs can reach the nectar. Here are good options:
- Saucer feeders – Shallow nectar and enclosed design limits crawling insects.
- Bottle or jar feeders – Narrow openings and inserted feeding ports block most bugs.
- Drip-free feeders – No leaks or overflowing nectar to attract flies.
Add Red Food Coloring
Bugs apparently don’t see red well. Adding red food dye to the nectar can camouflage it:
- Use dye made for hummingbird nectar, not general food coloring.
- Change nectar more often as dye fades in sunlight.
- Don’t overdo it – too dark may deter hummingbirds.
Hang Feeder in Shady Area
Less sun exposure means fewer bugs attracted to the feeder. Try hanging it under a tree or porch.
Clean Regularly
Frequently wash the feeder to eliminate old nectar and residue that attracts insects:
- Every 2-3 days in hot weather; 5-7 days in cool climates.
- Use a bottle brush and mild soap – no bleach.
- Rinse thoroughly before refilling.
Use a Bee Guard
Plastic bee guards are domes that allow hummingbird tongues but block bee stingers. Other options are feeders with built-in yellow \”bee guards\”.
Add a Moat
You can make or buy moat-style feeders surrounded by water to impede crawling insects:
- Use cooking oil versus water to avoid mold.
- Effective against ants; bees can still fly over.
- Need to change oil regularly.
Plant Flowers Nearby
Give the bugs an alternative food source by planting nectar-rich flowers:
- Try bee balm, zinnias, trumpet vine, lantana.
- Locate at least 10 feet from the feeder.
- Provides extra nutrition options for hummingbirds too.
Use Ant Moats or Traps
Stop ants with these clever solutions:
- Vaseline – Coat pole with slippery Vaseline so ants can’t climb up.
- Water moat – Wrap a water-filled tray around the pole to create a slippery maze.
- Ant traps -Set commercial ant baits near the pole to control populations.
Conclusion
Hummingbird feeders will inevitably draw some unwanted insect attention. Small flying and crawling bugs can’t resist the sweet artificial nectar. However, there are many inexpensive and easy solutions to minimize their access. With a little trial and error, you can deter pesky bugs and keep your buzzing hummingbird visitors happy and well-fed all season long.
