If you’ve noticed small bugs swarming around your hummingbird feeder, you’re not alone. These annoying little pests are attracted to the sugar water in hummingbird feeders. While the bugs aren’t harmful, they can deter hummingbirds from feeding and create an unsightly mess. The good news is there are some simple steps you can take to get rid of bugs on your hummingbird feeder.
What are the bugs on my hummingbird feeder?
The most common bugs found around hummingbird feeders are fungus gnats, fruit flies, thrips, and ants. Here’s a quick overview of each type of bug:
Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats are small, black flies about 1/8 inch long. The larvae feed on fungus in potting soil, and the adults are attracted to sugars. They lay eggs in damp soil or rotting wood. Fungus gnats don’t bite, but they can be a nuisance around hummingbird feeders.
Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are tiny tan or brown flies about 1/8 inch long. They lay eggs near fermenting fruits and vegetables or moist organic matter. The sweet nectar in hummingbird feeders is a perfect breeding ground for fruit flies.
Thrips
Thrips are tiny winged insects under 1/25 inch long. Different species feed on a variety of plants, and some are attracted to flowers to feed on pollen. They can infest hummingbird feeders to feed on the sugar water and pollen.
Ants
Ants are attracted to the sweet solution in hummingbird feeders. They’ll readily march up the feeder poles and colonize the feeders, deterring hummingbirds from feeding. Getting rid of ants around feeders takes some persistence.
How to Get Rid of Bugs in Hummingbird Feeders
Here are some effective tips for ridding your hummingbird feeders of these pesky bugs:
Clean the Feeders
One of the most important steps is to thoroughly clean your feeders. This will remove any bugs, larvae, eggs, or residue that could be attracting pests.
Take down all feeders and disassemble them. Discard any old sugar water. Use warm soapy water and bottle brushes to scrub the feeders. Rinse and let air dry completely before refilling. Be sure to get into crevices and seams where bugs can hide.
Cleaning the feeders every 5-7 days keeps them free of mold and bacteria that can spread diseases to hummingbirds. It also prevents bug infestations.
Use Bleach
For a deeper clean, soak feeders in a mild bleach solution. Mix 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Soak feeders for 2-3 minutes, scrub with a bottle brush, rinse thoroughly, and air dry. The bleach kills fungi, bacteria, and bugs.
Be sure to rinse all traces of bleach – it can harm hummingbirds. Let feeders dry completely before refilling.
Try Red Wine Vinegar
The acidity in red wine vinegar acts as a natural antibacterial agent. Fill your clean feeder with 1 part vinegar mixed with 5 parts water. Let soak overnight, then rinse with plain water before refilling.
Vinegar is safe for hummingbirds and will kill any lingering eggs or larvae in crevices.
Freeze Feeders
Freezing feeders can kill bugs by rupturing cell walls. Disassemble feeders and place in a plastic bag in the freezer overnight. Take them out the next day, let thaw, and scrub clean before reusing.
Use Hot Water
Heating your feeders in hot water can kill bugs and eggs. Fill a pot with water and submerge feeders. Heat until the water reaches a boil. Boil for 10 minutes. Remove feeders and scrub clean.
The hot water should penetrate crevices to kill hidden bugs. Be cautious not to melt plastic feeders.
Try Liquid Plant Food
Some gardeners have success mixing liquid plant food like Miracle-Gro into the sugar nectar solution. The ammonia in the plant food deters insects but is still safe for hummingbirds.
Mix 1 tablespoon per 1 cup of sugar water. Refrigerate unused portions to prevent mold.
Use Feeders With Ant Moats
Specialty feeders have a water-filled moat or other obstruction to prevent ants from reaching the nectar. Look for feeders with a sealed outer reservoir and ant moats built into the design.
Apply Vaseline
Coat the feeder rod or hanging wire with a layer of Vaseline. This slippery grease prevents ants from crossing to get to the feeder. Reapply after rain to maintain effectiveness.
Try Insecticidal Soap
Spraying feeders with insecticidal soap kills many small insects and larvae while being safe for hummingbirds. Cover all surfaces and crevices and let sit before rinsing and refilling.
Hang Away From Eaves
Don’t hang feeders directly beneath roof overhangs. Insects can drop from eaves into the feeders. Keep feeders several feet away from the house.
Use a Bee Guard
Bee guards are mesh barriers that surround a feeder, keeping bees out while allowing hummingbirds to access the nectar. Effective brands include First Nature and Aspects.
Supplement with Flowers
Planting nectar-rich, colorful flowers near your feeders can help draw bugs away. Good choices include bee balm, zinnias, cosmos, trumpet vine, and cardinal flower.
Try a Moat Feeder
Oasis Moat Feeders have a water-filled reservoir that isolates the nectar from crawling insects. Ants and other bugs can’t cross the water barrier. The nectar stays insect-free.
Rub Floral Wire With Oil
Coat hanging wires with vegetable oil or coatings like Pam. This makes it harder for crawling insects to cross over to the feeder.
Use Feeders With Micro Mesh
Micro mesh feeders have a super-fine, stainless steel mesh covering the nectar ports. It keeps out tiny fungus gnats and fruit fly larvae while allowing hummingbirds to access the nectar.
Rub Vaseline on Hanging Wires
The slippery grease in Vaseline makes it almost impossible for ants to traverse hanging wires coated in the stuff. Apply a layer to prevent ants from accessing feeders.
Try a Feeder with Yellow Funnel Guards
Funnel-style feeders with yellow guards prevent wasps and bees from accessing the nectar. Only hummingbirds can fit through the tapered yellow funnels to feed.
Use Saucer-Style Feeders
Saucer-style feeders with covered nectar chambers help exclude insects. Flat feeders also deter bees, wasps, and ants by denying them a place to perch and crawl inside.
Increase Nectar Concentration
Making nectar stronger with 1 part sugar to 4 parts water makes it less appealing to insects. But, only increase concentration by small increments to ensure hummingbirds can still feed.
Don’t Use Food Coloring
Skip the red food coloring. The dye and preservatives can promote mold and bacterial growth. Making nectar red won’t attract more hummingbirds.
Try Moving Feeders
Periodically moving your feeder to different locations can help disrupt bug lifecycles. Rotate between several hang spots around your yard.
Hang Feeders in Sun
Full sun helps keep nectar from developing mold or bacteria. Let feeders dry completely between refills. Sunlight deters some bugs too.
Add Citronella Oil
Add a few drops of pure citronella essential oil to your nectar mix. The strong scent repels many small insects but is pleasant to hummingbirds.
Use Cinnamon Powder
Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon on nectar to help deter ants and fruit flies. Avoid using sugary cinnamon-flavored spices which can promote mold.
When to Take Action
An occasional bug flying around your feeder is normal. But if you notice an infestation, it’s time to clean your feeders and make changes to get rid of the problem insects. Here are some signs that action is needed:
- Swarms of small flies or gnats on or near feeders
- Seeing ants marching up poles and wires toward feeders
- Lots of flying insects hovering around or trying to enter feeders
- Clumps of insects drowned in the nectar
- Nectar that looks cloudy or moldy
- Evidence of insects or webbing on feeder parts during cleaning
- Hummingbirds avoiding the feeder or not feeding as usual
Taking quick action at the first sign of an infestation will help resolve the issue promptly. Catching it early before bugs multiply prevents worsening problems.
Prevent Bugs on Hummingbird Feeders
Consistency is key for keeping bugs away from your feeders. Follow these tips to help prevent future infestations:
Clean Feeders Thoroughly
Clean feeders once or twice a week with hot water, vinegar, or bleach. Take them apart fully and scrub all crevices where bugs can hide and breed.
Dry Out Feeders Between Fillings
Let feeders dry completely before refilling. Bugs thrive in moist environments. Drying the feeders prevents mold and bacteria too.
Use Fresh Nectar
Dump out old nectar and make a fresh batch every few days. Old sugar water can ferment, attracting lots of bugs.
| Sugar to Water Ratio | Nectar Freshness |
|---|---|
| 1:4 | Replace nectar every 2-3 days |
| 1:5 | Replace nectar every 4-5 days |
Follow these nectar freshness guidelines to avoid spoilage issues.
Avoid Dyes and Additives
Don’t add food coloring, oils, or flavorings. These can promote mold growth. Plain white sugar and water is best.
Use Feeders with Ant Moats
Choose feeders designed to deter ants, like a moat or slippery pole. Ants can carry aphids and other pest insects to feeders.
Hang Feeders in Full Sun
Pick sun-drenched hang spots. The UV rays help kill bacteria and discourage some insects. Just monitor nectar levels in hot weather.
Keep Areas Around Feeders Clean
Don’t let fallen flowers, ripe fruit, or other decaying matter accumulate around feeders. Eliminate bug breeding grounds.
Use Insect Traps Nearby
Hang yellow sticky bug traps or other insect traps within a few feet of feeders to catch adult flies and gnats.
Conclusion
Following a consistent cleaning routine and using preventive measures will help you avoid problematic swarms of tiny bugs on your hummingbird feeders. Implement a combination of techniques and be vigilant about cleaning and freshening nectar. With some persistence, you can enjoy watching hummingbirds feed without annoying insects pestering them.
Simple solutions like hot water, vinegar, ant moats, and relocating feeders can eliminate current infestations. Prevent future bug problems by keeping feeders clean, nectar fresh, and area around feeders free of rotting organic debris that breeds insects. Welcome hummingbirds to your yard with a bug-free, healthy nectar feeding station.
