What else do hummingbird feeders attract?

Hummingbird feeders are designed to provide nectar for hummingbirds. However, other creatures are also attracted to the sweet liquid in these feeders. Some of the common questions people have about what else hummingbird feeders attract include:

What insects does a hummingbird feeder attract?
Hummingbird feeders can attract bees, wasps, and ants. These insects are drawn to the sugar water in the feeders. Ants may crawl on the feeder to reach the nectar, while bees and wasps may hover near the feeding ports.

Do hummingbird feeders attract yellow jackets?
Yes, yellow jackets are attracted to hummingbird feeders. The sugar water is appealing to these hungry insects. Yellow jackets may aggressively swarm around the feeding ports to drink the nectar.

What about flies? Can flies get into hummingbird feeders?
Flies are definitely interested in hummingbird nectar. They are capable of landing on the feeder and getting inside the ports or reservoir to reach the sugar water. Fly specks on feeders are a good indication flies have found the nectar.

Will hummingbird food attract mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are not specifically drawn to nectar. They feed on plant nectar only as a secondary food source. Mosquitoes need animal sources of protein from blood meals to produce eggs. A hummingbird feeder would not make a very effective mosquito trap.

Do hummingbird feeders attract butterflies?
Butterflies do enjoy nectar from flowers, so there is a possibility they could visit a hummingbird feeder. Some species like Swallowtails have tongues long enough to reach feeding ports. But butterflies tend to prefer natural flower nectar over artificial nectar from feeders.

Can hummingbird feeders attract bears?
In areas where bear populations exist, it is possible bears could take an interest in hummingbird feeders. Bears are attracted to sugary foods and have excellent senses of smell and memory. It is best to take precautions like hanging feeders out of reach of bears.

Insects

A variety of insects are attracted to the nectar in hummingbird feeders. Four common insects that may pay a visit to these feeders are:

Bees

Bees are frequent visitors to hummingbird feeders. They are interested in any good source of nectar they can find. Bees may hover near the feeding ports and occasionally try to squeeze inside to get to the sugar water. Different species of bees such as honeybees, bumblebees, and carpenter bees may appear at the feeders. Too many bees at a hummingbird feeder can discourage hummingbirds from approaching.

Wasps

Two types of wasps – yellow jackets and paper wasps – are attracted to hummingbird feeders. These aggressive wasps compete with hummingbirds for access to the nectar. They cling to the feeder ports or the edges of the reservoir, extending their tongues inside to sip the sugar water. Large numbers of wasps may prevent hummingbirds from successfully feeding.

Ants

Ants have a major sweet tooth for sugars like nectar. They routinely invade hummingbird feeders to drink the sugar water. Tiny ants can find their way through the feeding ports, while larger ants may climb down the hanging wires or poles to reach suspended feeders. Ants contaminate the nectar with formic acid and make the fluid unappealing to hummingbirds.

Flies

Flies cannot hover like bees or wasps, but they still manage to reach the nectar in hummingbird feeders by landing on the surfaces of the feeder and crawling inside. Small fruit flies and blow flies may get inside through the ports, while houseflies and bottle flies can simply walk across the feeder base or roof. Fly contamination often leaves behind telltale spots on the feeders.

Other Pests

In addition to insects, other animals may take interest in hummingbird feeders and the sweet nectar inside:

Bears

In bear country, these large mammals can be attracted to sugary foods like hummingbird nectar. Bears have keen noses and can remember locations of food sources. Once a bear finds a feeder, it will likely return and may damage the feeder to get the sugar water. Feeders should be hung high out of reach in bear areas.

Raccoons

Clever raccoons are also drawn to hummingbird feeders, especially nocturnal bandits. Raccoons will reach and scratch at feeders to try and get the sugar water. Some may even figure out ways to remove the base or knock the feeder down. Like bears, raccoons can damage feeders to access the nectar.

Squirrels

Agile squirrels thrive on high energy foods like nectar. Their excellent climbing skills allow them to scale poles and hangs wires to reach hanging hummingbird feeders. Squirrels will drink nectar through the ports, sit on the feeder, or try to dismantle the feeder. Special squirrel deterrents are needed to prevent them from draining feeders.

Orioles

Some species of orioles like Baltimore or orchard orioles will visit hummingbird feeders. Orioles have beaks suited for nectar feeding and are also attracted to sugar-rich foods. They may disrupt hummingbird activity at feeders as they try to perch and drink the nectar.

Deterrents

To prevent unwanted pests from taking over hummingbird feeders, there are some deterrent strategies:

Use yellow jacket traps

Traps can draw yellow jackets away from feeders. The trapped insects die, reducing numbers over time.

Apply cooking oil/petroleum jelly on wires and poles

This slippery barrier prevents crawling insects and animals from being able to climb. Reapply regularly.

Use ant moats or water barriers

Ants won’t cross water, so bases that suspend the feeder over water exclude ants.

Relocate feeders often

Frequently moving feeders prevents insects and other pests from establishing predictable food sources.

Clean feeders thoroughly

Soap and water remove residual sugars and smells that attract unwanted insects and animals.

Try feeders with pest barriers

Some feeders have integrated mesh screens or feeding ports that exclude bees, wasps and ants.

Conclusion

Hummingbird feeders can attract a variety of insect pests and other animals looking for an easy source of sugary nectar. Bees, wasps, ants, and flies are commonly drawn to these feeders. Larger pests like bears, raccoons, and squirrels may also show up to raid the nectar. While hummingbirds are the desired visitors, keeping their feeders pest-free requires some diligent maintenance and deterrents. With a good pest management plan, homeowners can successfully provide nectar for hummingbirds without supporting unwanted freeloaders. Thoughtful feeder placement, regular cleaning, and inventive deterrents can help maintain a safe, pest-free space for hummingbirds to nourish themselves.