Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that bring joy to backyard bird watchers. Their speedy wings fluttering as they hover to sip nectar from colorful feeders is a delight. However, hummingbird feeders often attract unwanted guests – bees! Bees can swarm a feeder, scaring away hummingbirds and leaving nothing but empty sugar water for them. While bees play an important role in pollination, most people want to reserve their feeders for hummers only. Luckily, there are effective methods to deter bees from your hummingbird feeders.
Why bees are attracted to hummingbird feeders
Hummingbird nectar is essentially a sugar water solution. Flower nectar is made up of sugars too. Just like hummingbirds, bees have a taste for sugary substances. They are opportunistic foragers and will visit any promising food source, including your conveniently placed feeders.
Bees are also attracted to the bright colors of many hummingbird feeders. Flower-shaped feeder ports and vibrant red plastic simulate flowers that bees naturally seek out. The smells emitting from feeders also draw bees in.
During dry conditions when flowers are sparse, your feeder’s sugar water becomes even more appealing to thirsty bees. Hummingbird feeders are an irresistible treat for bees when there are limited natural food options available.
Dangers of bees at hummingbird feeders
An occasional bee at your hummingbird feeder is normal. But an influx of bees can create problems:
- Bees intimidate hummingbirds – The small birds are hesitant to approach feeders covered in busy, buzzing bees. Hummingbirds may abandon feeders entirely if the bee presence is too high.
- Bees drink the nectar – Numerous bees can quickly drain a feeder’s sugar water, leaving nothing left for hummingbirds.
- Dirty feeders – Bee legs and bodies carry dirt and germs that can contaminate the nectar.
- Stings – Bees may sting hummingbirds or humans going to fill/clean feeders.
Keeping your feeder bee-free ensures hummingbirds have full, sanitary access to the nectar you provide.
Tips to deter bees from hummingbird feeders
Here are some simple tips to prevent bees at your hummingbird feeders and keep them strictly for hummingbird usage:
Use bee-proof feeders
Specialty hummingbird feeders are designed with bees in mind. Look for these features:
- Built-in bee guards – Plastic mesh screens or cone-shaped barriers prevent bees from accessing nectar.
- Yellow feeder ports – Bees gravitate toward red, so yellow colored ports attract hummingbirds while deterring bees.
- Nectar moats – A water-filled moat surrounds the feeding ports so bees have to land on water not the feeder.
- Smaller feeding ports – Port openings sized for hummingbird beaks but not bees.
While specially designed hummingbird feeders are ideal, you can also DIY modify standard feeders by adding chicken wire or other screening material to limit bee access.
Use red food coloring
Add some red food coloring to your sugar water mix. The red dye mimics natural flower nectar. Bees cannot see the color red, so the dyed nectar is nearly invisible to them. Make sure to use a true red food coloring though, not one containing purple or blue hues that bees can see.
Change location frequently
Moving your feeder every few days disorients bees. They will have a harder time remembering and returning to a constantly changing location. But hummingbirds with better memories will still find the feeder. Just avoid extremely windy or sunny spots that can deter hummingbirds when relocating.
Clean regularly
Wash your feeders with a mild soap solution at least once a week. This removes residue and prevents bacterial growth that appeal to bees. Rinse well to eliminate any soapy smells.
Use natural repellents
Apply natural bee-repelling substances to deter them from landing on feeders. Some options are:
- Essential oils – Rub feeder ports with peppermint, lemongrass, eucalyptus or clove oil.
- Oregano – Sprinkle dried oregano around or stuff some into feeder holes.
- Vicks VapoRub – Coat feeder with a thin layer of Vicks.
- Citrus oils – Wipe lemon, orange, grapefruit or lime oil on feeder.
Reapply these repellents after cleaning or rain.
Use apple cider vinegar
Fill a small jar lid with apple cider vinegar and attach it near the feeder. Bees are naturally drawn to the vinegar. Once they drink it, the acidic taste deters their return.
Avoid overflowing nectar
Do not overfill the feeder reservoir which leads to overflow drainage. Exposed nectar dripping down the feeder is a bee magnet. Fill only what hummingbirds will drink in a day or two.
Provide separate bee feeders
To divert bees away entirely, set up separate bee feeders in your yard. Fill shallow bowls with a few inches of sugar water and place small stones for perches. The feeders will satisfy bee hunger without hijacking the hummingbird feeders.
Other animal pests
Along with bees, other critters like to steal some sugar water from hummingbird feeders. Here’s how to deal with them:
Ants
- Hang feeder on a pole with a water moat or petroleum jelly coating
- Mix a small amount of chili powder in the nectar
Wasps
- Use feeders with built-in wasp guards
- Apply essential oils like clove, lemongrass or eucalyptus
Orioles
- Offer slices of orange or grape jelly to distract them
- Use smaller feeder ports sized only for hummingbirds
Raccoons
- Bring feeder inside overnight when raccoons forage
- Install feeder on a suspended wire cable
- Use feeders with metal mesh covers
Squirrels
- Apply hot pepper sauce to deter licking
- Grease pole and feeder hanger with petroleum jelly
- Use squirrel-proof feeders with cage or baffle
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are special visitors that add beauty and excitement to backyards. Enjoy their presence by offering irresistible nectar in a comfortable environment. Follow these tips to keep bees and other pests away from your hummingbird feeders. With a few tricks, you can create an oasis just for your favorite hummingbirds to peacefully sip sugar water.
