Hummingbird feeders allow people to enjoy watching these small, colorful birds up close. However, other animals are also attracted to the sugary nectar in hummingbird feeders. Squirrels, bears, raccoons, and insects may try to get at the nectar, damaging or destroying feeders in the process. Identifying what animals are causing problems at your hummingbird feeder is the first step to preventing damage and keeping the hummingbirds coming back.
Squirrels
Squirrels are one of the most frequent culprits when it comes to raiding hummingbird feeders. Their excellent climbing skills allow them to access hanging feeders with ease. Squirrels are also intelligent and persistent, so they will find creative ways to reach the nectar.
Signs a squirrel has been at your feeder include:
- Chewed or damaged ports
- Feeder is knocked to the ground
- Teeth marks on plastic parts
- Large amounts of nectar missing
Squirrels are diurnal and most active during the day. You may actually see them climbing on or hanging from your feeder. Several squirrels may gang up and take turns distracting each other as they figure out how to access the nectar.
Preventing Squirrel Damage
There are several techniques you can try to squirrel-proof your hummingbird feeder:
- Use feeders with metal ports instead of plastic
- Coat ports with hot pepper sauce or chili oil
- Install a squirrel baffle above or below the feeder
- Hang feeder on a suspended wire
- Place feeder at least 5-6 feet off the ground
- Use a feeder with weighted perches that close when something heavy lands on them
Be aware that squirrels are incredibly smart and may still find ways to outwit some deterrents. Using multiple protections is your best bet to keep them at bay.
Bears
Bears also have an incredible sense of smell and a sweet tooth, so hummingbird feeders may attract their interest. Signs a bear has tampered with your feeder include:
- Entire feeder is destroyed or missing
- Feeder is crushed or mangled
- Large claw marks
- Evidence of licking on chewed parts
Bears forage mainly at night, so you likely won’t see them in the act. But they have no problem tearing down feeders to get the sugary nectar inside.
Preventing Bear Damage
To protect your feeders from bears:
- Bring feeders inside at night
- Install feeders in an enclosed porch or other protected area
- Use feeders made of metal that bears can’t easily damage
- Stop using hummingbird feeders if bears are active in your area
Hummingbird nectar won’t provide enough caloric benefit to make it worthwhile for a bear to go after a well-protected feeder. Remove attractants during peak bear season.
Raccoons
With their dexterous paws, raccoons are also adept at accessing hanging feeders. Signs of raccoon trouble include:
- Feeder is emptied or knocked down
- Chewed port openings or other damage
- Small scratch or bite marks
Raccoons do most of their foraging at night. You may hear noises on your porch as they try to get to the hummingbird nectar.
Preventing Raccoon Damage
Raccoons can be deterred using similar methods as squirrels:
- Use metal rather than plastic feeder parts
- Hang feeder well away from trees, fences and other structures
- Coat ports with capsaicin cream or chili oil
- Install a feeder hanger with a dome or other raccoon baffle
- Bring feeder inside at night
Cut off easy access to make your feeder less appealing to persistent raccoons.
Insects
Ants, bees, wasps, and other bugs are also drawn to the sweet nectar in hummingbird feeders. Insect invaders can contaminate nectar with diseases, scare away hummingbirds, or prevent them from accessing the ports. Signs of insect invaders include:
- Small flying insects around or inside feeder
- Ant trails leading up to feeder
- Spider webs on feeder
- Mosquito larvae in nectar
- Nectar has cloudy appearance
Use the following tactics to make your feeders less attractive to insects:
- Change nectar every 2-3 days
- Clean feeders thoroughly with a bottle brush each time
- Add citric acid or vinegar when mixing nectar
- Move feeder to different location periodically
- Use feeders with built-in ant moats
Frequent cleaning and fresh nectar will help prevent bugs from taking over your feeder. Relocating it often will also disrupt insect trails.
Other Animals
In addition to mammals and insects, birds like starlings, sparrows, and jays may also try to access your hummingbird feeders. Signs include:
- Larger birds on feeder
- Nectar emptied more quickly
- Damage from larger beaks
Using feeders made for hummingbird beak size can help limit access for undesirable birds. Avoid cheap plastic feeders that larger birds can easily damage.
Cats may also be attracted to congregations of birds around your feeder. Keep feeders in locations away from trees and fences where cats could hide and ambush.
Conclusion
Hummingbird feeders provide an appealing source of nutrition that many creatures besides hummingbirds find tempting. Identifying the culprit that is damaging or stealing from your feeder is the first step. Then you can take appropriate action to deter the animals and protect your feeder. With some strategic precautions, you can enjoy watching the hummingbirds without having your feeder raided by pests.
| Animal | Identification | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Squirrels | Chewed ports, nectar missing, claws marks, knocked over | Squirrel baffles, chili oil, weighted perches, suspend on wire |
| Bears | Missing or destroyed feeder, large claw marks, feeder licked clean | Use metal feeder, remove at night, install out of reach |
| Raccoons | Emptied or knocked down, chewed ports, small bite marks | Hang away from access points, use metal parts, chili oil |
| Insects | Flying insects on feeder, cloudy nectar, ant trails | Frequent nectar changes, add vinegar, ant moats |
| Other birds | Larger birds on feeder, damage from large beaks | Use hummingbird only feeders, protective location |
Protecting your feeders doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With some creativity and vigilance, you can outsmart the animals trying to steal your hummingbird nectar. Get in the habit of regularly checking and cleaning your feeders, and implementing strategic deterrents. With a little effort, you can ensure the hummingbirds have a safe and tasty oasis to fuel up on.
