Does hummingbird nectar attract yellow jackets?

Quick Answer

Yes, hummingbird nectar can attract yellow jackets. The sugary nectar in hummingbird feeders is very appealing to these insects. However, there are steps you can take to discourage yellow jackets from your feeders.

What Attracts Yellow Jackets to Hummingbird Feeders?

Yellow jackets are attracted to sugary substances, such as fruit, tree sap, and human food and drinks. The nectar in hummingbird feeders, which is essentially dissolved sugar, is highly enticing to these insects.

Some specific factors that draw yellow jackets in include:

• The sweet smell – Yellow jackets can detect sugary scents from far away.
• The bright colors – Many feeders have vivid red or yellow parts which attract the insects.
• The time of year – Late summer into fall is when yellow jacket populations are at their peak and food becomes scarcer, leading them to scavenge sugary sources like feeders.

The appeal of an easy carbohydrate source from nectar leads yellow jackets to aggressively seek out hummingbird feeders, much to the dismay of hummingbird enthusiasts!

Do Yellow Jackets Harm Hummingbirds?

The presence of yellow jackets at hummingbird feeders causes problems for the birds in a few ways:

• Competition – Yellow jackets will scare off hummingbirds as they swarm the feeders and leave less nectar available.
• Risk of stings – Hummingbirds can get stung by defensive yellow jackets, which can be very dangerous for their small bodies.
• Nest invasion – Yellow jackets sometimes build nests close to hummingbird feeders, putting the birds in proximity to the stinging insects.

In addition, yellow jacket visits contaminate the nectar with insects and make the feeder area an unpleasant and risky place for hummingbirds to visit. Discouraging yellow jackets helps provide a safer feeding environment.

Tips to Limit Yellow Jackets

Here are some tips to make your hummingbird feeders less appealing to yellow jackets:

Use yellow jacket traps

Traps lure yellow jackets away from feeders by attracting them with bait. You can purchase ready-made traps or make your own easily:

• Fill a cup halfway with fruit juice, sugar water, soda, or beer. Avoid meat and tuna juices which will attract bees.
• Add a drop of dish soap to break the surface tension so insects drown.
• Cover the cup with plastic wrap and poke small holes so the scent escapes.
• Hang the trap away from your house and hummingbird feeders.

Empty and refresh traps frequently to keep them effective.

Choose yellow jacket-proof feeders

Specialized feeders have long, narrow openings that allow hummingbirds to reach the nectar with their long beaks but block the short-tongued yellow jackets. Look for feeders advertised as having “yellow jacket-proof” designs.

Use a moat

You can make a simple moat by adding water to a tray or wide shallow bowl and placing your feeder in the center. Yellow jackets are reluctant to cross water. Just be sure to change the water frequently to prevent mosquito breeding.

Add cloves or cinnamon

The strong scent of cloves, cinnamon sticks, or cinnamon powder can help disguise the sugary nectar. Place whole cloves or a cinnamon stick in the nectar, or sprinkle cinnamon around the feeder opening.

Use feeders with red parts

Research shows yellow jackets are least attracted to red colors. Choose feeders with red flowers or red bee guards. Avoid feeders with prominent yellow parts.

Manage feeders properly

Keep your feeders clean, use fresh nectar, and move locations regularly to avoid build up of sugar and odors. Only make enough nectar for a few days and clean feeders every time you refill.

Avoid meat, fish, and sweet treats

Don’t place any food sources near feeders that could attract yellow jackets, like compost piles, trash cans, outdoor grills, pet food, or fallen fruit.

When to Remove Feeders

If yellow jacket problems become extreme, you may need to remove your hummingbird feeders entirely for a period of time.

Temporarily take down feeders:

• In late summer when yellow jacket populations peak.
• If you spot multiple yellow jackets swarming a feeder.
• If hummingbirds stop visiting because of yellow jackets.

You can still help hummers by planting pollinator-friendly flowers they can feed from. After a couple weeks, clean feeders well and try again in a new location. Monitor for yellow jackets and be prepared to remove feeders again if needed.

Conclusion

Yellow jackets are attracted to the sugary solution in hummingbird feeders, especially in late summer. Their presence can be problematic for hummingbirds attempting to feed. Using preventive measures like traps, moats, and red feeders can help deter yellow jackets. With proper management, you can provide nectar for hummingbirds without attracting swarms of unwanted pests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do yellow jackets come to my hummingbird feeders?

Yellow jackets are strongly attracted to sugary substances, including the sucrose-based nectar in hummingbird feeders. The feeders offer them an abundant and convenient source of carbohydrates.

What time of year are yellow jackets most problematic?

Late summer into early fall is peak yellow jacket season when their colonies have reached maximum size and natural food becomes scarcer. More workers are scouting for any food they can find.

Will yellow jackets harm my hummingbirds?

Yes, yellow jackets can sting hummingbirds which is very dangerous due to a bird’s small body size. They also compete aggressively for the feeder nectar, intimidating hummingbirds.

Should I take down my feeders if yellow jackets are a problem?

Temporarily removing feeders for a couple weeks can help disperse yellow jackets. Afterward, move feeders to a new site and monitor for renewed yellow jacket activity.

What colors are yellow jackets least attracted to?

Research indicates yellow jackets are not highly attracted to the color red. Choosing feeders with red parts can make them less appealing targets.