Causes of wasp swarms at hummingbird feeders
Wasps swarm hummingbird feeders for a few main reasons:
- They are attracted to the sugar water in the feeders
- The feeders provide a good source of food as the weather gets colder
- The color and design of the feeders attract wasps
Hummingbird feeders are filled with a sugar water solution that hummingbirds rely on for energy. This sugary liquid is also very appealing to wasps, especially in the late summer and fall when wasp colonies are large and food sources are more scarce. The feeders provide an easy meal for foraging wasps.
Attracted to sugar
Wasp species like yellowjackets, paper wasps, and hornets are strongly attracted to sugary substances like fruit, tree sap, and nectar. The standard 4:1 ratio of water to white sugar used in hummingbird feeders is like candy for wasps! They have a sweet tooth and will seek out the feeders to get an easy carbohydrate source.
Seeking food before winter
By late summer and fall, wasp colonies have finished rearing offspring for the year. The queen stops laying eggs and the colonies shift focus to feeding the remaining larvae and storing food for overwintering.
This is when large numbers of wasps start appearing at hummingbird feeders to fuel up on sugar for the coming winter months. The feeders offer a great source of energy when other food becomes scarce as flowers die off. The wasps are simply taking advantage of an abundant food bonanza.
Attracted to colors
Hummingbird feeders use bright colors like red, yellow, or orange to attract hummingbirds. However, these colors also attract wasps.
Wasp vision is sensitive to UV light and they are especially drawn to the colors yellow and blue. A yellow hummingbird feeder is like a beacon for hungry wasps! Switching to less visually stimulating colors can help make the feeders less attractive to wasps.
Preventing wasps at hummingbird feeders
Here are some tips to prevent or discourage wasps from swarming your hummingbird feeders:
- Use feeders with yellow jackets screens or bee guards
- Choose plain green, black, or brown feeders
- Add hot pepper powder or oil to the sugar water
- Use a feeder with narrow slits that wasps can’t fit through
- Apply dishwashing liquid to the feeder ports
- Move feeders away from eaves and overhangs
- Clean feeders regularly with bleach or vinegar
- Take down feeders at night when wasps are less active
- Wait to put out feeders until later in fall
Using feeders designed with integrated yellow jacket excluders or screens can block wasps while allowing hummingbirds to access the nectar. Avoid bright colors that attract wasps and opt for plain matte greens, blacks or browns.
Adding hot pepper powder or oil to the sugar water makes it unpalatable to wasps but doesn’t deter hummingbirds. The irritating capsaicin in peppers affects wasp taste receptors but not birds. Use a ratio of 1 part powder to 5 parts sugar.
Feeders with narrow slits that match hummingbird beak and tongue size prevent wasp access. Applying a light coat of dishwashing liquid to the feeder ports disrupts wasp feet and keeps them from clinging.
Placing feeders in shady locations away from roofs and eaves limits wasp traffic. Frequent cleaning with bleach or vinegar removes buildup that attracts insects.
Taking down feeders at night when wasp activity declines or waiting until later in fall to put them out allows hummingbird access once wasp colonies die out.
Why are wasps attracted to the feeders?
Sugar water
The main thing that attracts wasps to hummingbird feeders is the sugar water put out for hummingbirds. Wasps are drawn to sweet substances and the sucrose-rich nectar provides carbohydrates they need for energy. The feeders offer an irresistible, ready-made sugar feast.
Bright colors
Many common hummingbird feeders are red, orange, or yellow. These bright colors stand out and appeal to wasps’ color vision. The contrast makes the feeders extremely visible to wasps searching for food sources.
Easy access
Hummingbird feeders are specifically designed for accessing sugar water. Wasps can readily feed from the multiple ports and openings. The easy availability of sugar water is a major draw for hungry wasps.
Shape and design
The shape and style of some feeders allows wasps to easily cling to them. If they provide landing perches or roughness for feet, wasps can hold on while feeding. Smooth-sided glass feeders give them less grip.
What types of wasps are commonly seen at feeders?
| Wasp | Description | Nesting Habits |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowjackets | Black and yellow bands, about 1/2 inch long | Underground colonies, often in abandoned rodent burrows |
| Paper wasps | Long legs, orange and black/brown bands, about 3/4 to 1 inch long | Umbrella-shaped nests made from chewed wood fiber attached under eaves and ledges |
| Hornets | Larger, up to 1.5 inches long with brown or black bodies and yellow/white markings | Paper nests attached high in trees and shrubs |
Yellowjackets, paper wasps, and hornets are the most common species attracted to hummingbird feeders in late summer and fall. Yellowjackets tend to be the most troublesome because of their aggressive colony behavior.
Impact of wasp swarms on hummingbirds
Heavy wasp presence at hummingbird feeders can negatively impact hummingbirds in a few ways:
- Wasps can overwhelm feeders and leave less nectar for hummingbirds
- Hummingbirds may avoid visiting feeders with lots of wasp activity
- Wasps near feeders might harass or prey on hummingbirds
- Feeders with wasp traffic have more bacterial contamination
Large wasp populations can quickly drain sugar water, depriving hummingbirds of energy they need to migrate. Timid hummers may choose to avoid feeders with menacing wasps. Larger wasp species may catch and eat hummingbirds visiting infested feeders.
Dirty feeders also spread bacteria that can make hummingbirds sick. Frequent cleaning and using ant moats can help reduce contamination. Discouraging wasp swarms keeps feeders safer for hummingbirds.
Health risks of wasps at feeders
Wasp swarms pose some health and safety concerns for homeowners around hummingbird feeders:
- Stings – wasps will sting if threatened or provoked
- Allergic reactions – stings can potentially cause anaphylactic shock in sensitive persons
- Disease transmission via feces – some wasps can spread pathogens through waste
- Bacterial contamination – feeders with heavy wasp traffic harbor more bacteria
Yellowjackets, hornets, and paper wasps all can deliver painful stings, though they are not aggressive unless nests are disturbed. Their stings can cause potentially life-threatening allergic reactions in people with sensitivities.
Large numbers of wasps feeding and defecating on the feeders also increases bacterial growth associated with dangerous diseases like salmonella and aspergillosis. Keeping feeders clean is important.
Prevent stings and allergic reactions
To reduce risk of stings:
- Move slowly and avoid swatting at wasps
- Have allergy medications on hand if needed
- Wear protective clothing like long sleeves and pants
- Discourage wasp nesting and swarming near feeders
Avoid antagonizing wasps and they will generally leave people alone. Keep epinephrine auto-injectors stocked for those with known allergies. Protective clothing prevents stings while servicing infested feeders.
Reduce disease transmission
To limit spread of pathogens:
- Change sugar water and scrub feeders frequently
- Use feeders with ant moats
- Apply disinfectants to feeder ports
- Move feeder location each season
Frequent scrubbing with soap, water, and vinegar removes wasp feces and bacteria buildup. Ant moats create a water barrier that limits insect access. Disinfectants help sanitize feeder openings. Changing feeder sites each year prevents contamination.
Removing established wasp nests
If wasps have already built sizable nests near your hummingbird feeders there are a few options for removal:
- Insecticides – spray nest openings at night when wasps are less active
- Soapy water – spray soapy water directly into nest openings
- Vacuuming – use a shop vac hose at night to suck out nest contents
- Pruning – for very small nests attached to branches, clip off nests into soapy water
- Professional exterminators – for large inaccessible nests, hire a pest control company
Insecticide sprays containing pyrethrins or carbaryl work well but should be applied at night to avoid angry wasps. Soapy water is very effective – the soap suffocates wasps and breaks down paper nest material.
Shop vacuums can eliminate nests but cover the end of the hose with mesh to avoid sucking up wasps. For tiny nests attached to tree branches or eaves, clipping them off into soapy water kills the colony. Calling a licensed exterminator is safest option for very large, difficult nests.
Safety when removing wasp nests
When attempting do-it-yourself wasp nest removal:
- Wear long sleeves, pants, shoes, eye protection and thick gloves
- Work at night when most wasps are in the nest and less active
- Have epinephrine and antihistamines nearby in case of allergic reactions
- Use caution on ladders needed for reaching high nests
- Hire a professional for large nests (> football size) or nests in difficult locations
Protective clothing prevents stings on your body while working. Nighttime sabotage when wasps are docile avoids angry attack. Keep sting medication ready just in case. Use proper precautions when using ladders to reach high nests. Some nests in walls, floor voids, or ceilings are best handled by exterminators.
Conclusion
Wasps flock to hummingbird feeders attracted by the abundant, sugary solution. But with somepreventative measures, you can enjoy watching hummingbirds without wasp issues:
– Use feeders with bee guards or pest deterrents
– Choose plain colored feeders over bright red or yellow
– Move feeders away from rooflines and eaves
– Keep feeders clean to limit bacterial growth
– Take down feeders at night when wasps are less active
A few modifications can make your feeders less appealing to wasps and safer for hummingbirds. With proactive steps, you can discourage wasp swarms and enjoy peak hummingbird season.
