If you have a hummingbird feeder in your yard and notice the nectar disappearing more quickly than usual, there are a few likely culprits that may be emptying it. Here are some of the most common animals that might be helping themselves to your hummingbird feeder’s contents.
Hummingbirds
The most obvious possibility is that hummingbirds are emptying the feeder. Hummingbirds are extremely active and have very high metabolisms, so a busy feeder may need to be refilled every 2-3 days in hot weather when usage is high. Make sure you are using an appropriate nectar concentration – mixing 1 part white granulated sugar with 4 parts water makes a good imitation of natural nectar. Do not add red dye, as this can be harmful to hummingbirds. Clean the feeder thoroughly every time you refill it, as dirty nectar can make the birds sick.
Increase the number of feeders in your yard to accommodate more hummingbirds. Spread feeders out to discourage territorial species from guarding them. Consider purchasing a feeder with perches so multiple hummingbirds can feed at once. Position the feeder in light shade to slow fermentation of the nectar. Installing a hummingbird feeder with ant, bee and wasp deterrents can also minimize competition. With the right setup, you may be able to satisfy even a large number of active, hungry hummingbirds!
Bees and Wasps
Bees, wasps, and other flying insects are very attracted to the sweet nectar in hummingbird feeders. Like hummingbirds, they can drain the sugar water quickly, especially if large numbers are present. There are a few strategies to deter them:
- Use a feeder with yellow flowers or decoration, as bees and wasps are less attracted to yellow.
- Purchase a hummingbird feeder with integrated bee guards or molecule moats that allow hummingbirds to feed but deter bees and wasps.
- Try moving the feeder to a different location that is farther away from insect nests or hives.
- Clean the feeder thoroughly every 2-3 days to eliminate old nectar that can attract insects.
- Consider switching to a hummingbird feeder style with longer, narrower ports that are accessible to hummingbirds but exclude insects.
Taking some of these preventative measures can help minimize bee and wasp presence so more nectar remains for the hummingbirds.
Ants
Ants are very persistent when they find a sugar source, and will rapidly recruit entire colonies to empty a hummingbird feeder. Here are some ways to deter ants:
- Suspend the feeder from a tree branch or ceiling so it is not touching any surface ants can access.
- Place the feeder over a bowl of water with vegetable oil floating on top to block ants from crossing.
- Apply a sticky insect barrier like Tanglefoot around the feeder hanger and tree branch or post.
- Purchase a hummingbird feeder with an integrated ant moat.
- Use a feeder style that has a cover over the nectar reservoir to exclude ants.
- Clean the feeder and change the nectar every 2-3 days before ants have a chance to recruit more members.
Relocating ant nests away from the feeder can also help reduce access for large numbers of ants. Discouraging ants from discovering and exploiting the feeder allows hummingbirds better access.
Cats
Neighborhood cats may also learn to associate hummingbird feeders with food and drink from them when given the opportunity. Cats can quickly drain a feeder due to their larger size. Here are some precautions to avoid attracting cats:
- Place the feeder well out of reach of where cats could jump up to access it.
- Select a feeder that does not have perches for larger animals.
- Use a feeder with smaller, narrower ports sized for hummingbird beaks.
- Apply hot pepper sauce or other deterrents to the feeder rim and ports.
- Install a cage or baffle around the feeder to keep cats away.
- Suspend the feeder from a pulley system so it can be raised out of reach when not in use.
- Squirt cats with a water bottle or use ultrasonic deterrents if they start hanging around.
Avoiding introducing cats to the feeder as a food source and making access difficult can discourage their interest and keep more nectar for the hummingbirds to enjoy.
Raccoons
Clever and nimble raccoons are also attracted to the sweet nectar in hummingbird feeders, especially if they figure out an easy way to reach the feeder. Here are some tips to avoid raccoons:
- Hang the feeder from a suspended pulley system or long pole that keeps it well out of reach.
- Place feeder over a tall, slick post or pipe that raccoons cannot easily climb.
- Use a cage or baffle around the feeder with openings sized only for hummingbirds.
- Take the feeder down at night when raccoons do most of their foraging.
- Consider a feeder style with a locking cover that must be aligned to access the nectar ports.
- Apply raccoon deterrents like cayenne pepper liberally around the feeder.
- Install motion activated sprinklers or lights nearby to startle nighttime visitors.
A little creativity and persistence can help you achieve a raccoon-proof set up. Removing the feeder at night and making access very difficult during the day is key to avoiding raccoons.
Bears
In areas where bears are active, they may associate hummingbird feeders with an easy food reward. This can be very problematic, as they can damage property getting to the sugar source. Use extreme caution if bears are in your region:
- Only use feeders during daylight hours and remove them or make inaccessible at night.
- Hang feeder as high off the ground as possible, from at least a second story window.
- Eliminate any platforms or objects bears could use to reach a hanging feeder.
- Consider a pulley system that allows you to quickly raise the feeder.
- Remove any bear attractants from your yard like trash, pet food, grills, etc.
- Use strong deterrents like ammonia soaked rags near the feeder.
- Be prepared to stop using a feeder if bears take interest in it as a food source.
Avoiding conditioning bears to associate feeders with food is important for both property protection and bear conservation. Consider removing your feeder if bears become problematic.
Squirrels
Squirrels are notoriously tricky when it comes to robbing bird feeders. Their agility, persistence, and intelligence make them a challenge to outwit. Here are some strategies to protect your hummingbird feeder:
- Use a covered or enclosed feeder that restricts access to the nectar reservoir.
- Select a feeder with longer, narrower ports that exclude squirrels.
- Suspend feeder from a wire or pole with a squirrel baffle or slinky device.
- Situate feeder at least 6 feet off the ground and away from jumps and climbs.
- Apply slippery lubricants like oil or grease on hanging wires and poles.
- Use taste deterrents like hot sauce or bitrex on the feeder rim and ports.
- Try moving the feeder location periodically to discourage staked-out squirrels.
Squirrels are stubborn but with some clever feeder placement and deterrents, you can win the battle. Perseverance and adaptability are key when working to outsmart squirrels!
Mice and Rats
Rodents like mice and rats are also drawn to the sweet nectar in hummingbird feeders. They usually access feeders at night when hummingbird activity is lower. Here are some ways to avoid mice and rats:
- Take down feeders after dark to remove the nighttime temptation.
- Select feeder styles with protective covers or small access ports.
- Suspend feeder so it does not touch any surfaces mice could jump from.
- Clean up any spilled nectar which can attract rodents to the area.
- Use a feeder with a built-in ant or rodent moat.
- Apply hot sauce or other taste deterrents to the feeder rim and ports.
- Use ultrasonic pest repellers or motion activated water sprinklers.
Mice and rats may require diligence to discourage, but measures like removing the feeders overnight and taste deterrents can be effective over time.
Chipmunks
The small size and agility of chipmunks can make them difficult to exclude from feeders. They are motivated by the concentrated sugar source. Strategies to protect your nectar include:
- Select a feeder with small, narrow ports that chipmunks cannot fit into.
- Use a feeder style that has a cover or shroud restricting reservoir access.
- Apply hot pepper spray or other irritants to the feeder rim and ports.
- Install a cage or mesh around the feeder with an opening only large enough for hummingbirds.
- Place feeder farther away from trees, fences and platforms chipmunks can jump from.
- Put vasoline or other slippery substance on hanging wires and poles.
Chipmunks are stubborn but using taste deterrents and restricting physical access can help safeguard your hummingbird nectar.
Orioles
Sometimes orioles can compete with hummingbirds for feeder access due to their larger size. To prevent orioles from taking over, try these tactics:
- Use a hummingbird feeder with short perches unsuitable for orioles.
- Select a feeder with smaller, narrower ports that exclude larger birds.
- Supplement with separate oriole-friendly nectar sources away from hummingbird feeders.
- Consider using feeders with yellow flower or color patterns, which orioles prefer.
- Apply hot pepper spray to the feeder rim and ports to deter orioles.
- Use feeders with bee guards that obstruct larger birds but allow hummingbird access.
With some adjustments, you can provide nectar feeding opportunities for both hummingbirds and orioles in your yard.
Conclusion
Keeping a hummingbird feeder appropriately filled requires some clever strategies to outsmart a diversity of nectar-loving animals. While hummingbirds are the desired feeder users, many other animals can compete for the sweet liquid reward. Careful feeder selection, placement, and use of deterrents can help exclude most would-be feeder robbers. Remaining vigilant to identify the culprit(s) and then taking targeted exclusion measures allows you to provide the best feeding experience for your local hummingbirds.
