Yellow jackets swarming a hummingbird feeder is a common problem that many backyard birders face. The main reason yellow jackets are attracted to hummingbird feeders is because of the sugary nectar inside. Yellow jackets have a strong craving for sugars and are opportunistic feeders that will exploit easy sources of carbohydrates. A hummingbird feeder dripping with sweet nectar is an irresistible lure for these insects.
Yellow jackets love sugar
Yellow jackets have a significant need for sugars to maintain energy levels and sustain their colonies. Worker yellow jackets have the job of foraging for food to bring back to feed the larvae and queen. From early summer through late fall, foraging yellow jackets are on the hunt for sugary foods. Some of their favorites include tree sap, ripe fruits, soft drinks, and juices. Yellow jackets will also scavenge meats and proteins, but sugar is their primary target.
A hummingbird feeder full of nectar is essentially a jackpot for carbohydrate-craving yellow jackets. The sweet liquid provides them an easily accessible source of energy. Yellow jackets can detect the scent of the nectar from far away, just as hummingbirds can. Once one yellow jacket discovers the free nectar buffet, it will quickly go back to the nest and recruit more of its sisters to join in feasting. Soon what started as one yellow jacket becomes dozens swarming the feeder.
Tips for keeping yellow jackets away from your hummingbird feeder
While yellow jackets certainly can be a nuisance around hummingbird feeders, there are some steps you can take to deter them:
Use feeders with yellow jacket preventative design features
Many hummingbird feeder models now come equipped with specialized yellow jacket deterrents. Look for feeders that have long, tapered perches that make it tricky for yellow jackets to gain access. Reservoir bases with built-in ant moats or water moats create a water barrier that blocks crawling insects. Dome-shaped feeder tops with small feeding ports are designed to allow hummingbird beaks but exclude larger yellow jacket bodies. Selecting a hummingbird feeder with one or more of these yellow jacket-unfriendly features can help cut back on unwanted pest issues.
Position feeders away from vegetation and other structures
Placing your hummingbird feeder in an open, exposed area away from trees, bushes, and buildings can make the nectar less obvious to passing yellow jackets. If the feeder is hidden or surrounded by plants and structures, yellow jackets have more opportunities to discover it and stake out the area unseen. By putting it in a spot with greater visibility and fewer places for yellow jackets to perch nearby, you can reduce the chances of them homing in on it.
Keep feeders clean and nectar fresh
Dirty, stagnant sugar water in your hummingbird feeder is more likely to attract yellow jackets. The stale nectar starts to ferment, giving off odors that appeal specifically to insects. Regularly changing out old nectar and cleaning the feeder prevents buildup of films, fungi, and sediment that can make the feeder more irresistible. Washing the feeder parts with a 10% non-bleach white vinegar solution helps remove residue. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.
Use yellow jacket traps
Traps are an effective way to capture and eliminate foraging yellow jackets. Funnel-style traps lure yellow jackets in with a sugary bait, making it hard for them to find their way back out. Some traps also contain insecticides to kill the trapped insects. Place several traps near your hummingbird feeder to help reduce the overall yellow jacket population frequenting that space.
Supplement feeder with other food sources
Putting out other sugary foods can pull yellow jackets away from your hummingbird feeder. Try offering separate dishes of fruit jam, fallen overripe fruit, or sugary syrups in another area of your yard. The additional feeding stations will divert some of the yellow jacket pressure away from the hummingbird nectar.
Use yellow jacket repellents
Applying yellow jacket repellent products directly onto and around the feeder may discourage the insects from lingering. Certain essential oils like lemongrass, peppermint, and clove oils can deter yellow jackets when applied to surfaces. Spritzing the feeder periodically with diluted vinegar may also help mask the scent. Take care not to get repellent oils directly in the nectar, as it can be harmful to hummingbirds.
Suspend feeder from a string
Hanging your feeder from a long string so that it hangs down freely can make it harder for yellow jackets to access. The constantly moving, swaying feeder forces yellow jackets to have to stabilize themselves as they try to feed. This may frustrate them and cause them to eventually look for an easier meal source. Just be sure the feeder hangs low enough for hummingbirds to easily reach.
Use a yellow jacket trap feeder
A trap feeder is a special type of hummingbird feeder designed specifically to lure in and eliminate yellow jackets. The nectar reservoir is surrounded by an inverted funnel trap. When yellow jackets climb down through the funnel to reach the nectar, they become trapped inside and cannot escape. The hummingbirds can access the nectar safely through feeding ports on the top. The yellow jackets caught in the funnel traps eventually dehydrate and die.
When are yellow jackets most active around feeders?
Yellow jacket activity around hummingbird feeders fluctuates throughout the seasons:
Early summer
In early summer, yellow jacket colonies are smaller, needing to build up numbers. Foraging activity is lighter, so hummingbird feeders may not see heavy yellow jacket traffic. Some scouts may find and opportunistically exploit the nectar source.
Midsummer
Yellow jacket populations boom in midsummer with greater foraging demands to support larger colonies. This is when yellow jacket interest in hummingbird feeders is at its peak. High levels of yellow jacket activity are likely during July and August.
Late summer/fall
As late summer shifts to fall, yellow jacket colonies begin declining and producing reproductive males and new queens. Food foraging needs are still strong through late summer and early fall to prepare for overwintering queens. Cooler weather in fall sees yellow jacket activity gradually taper off.
Winter
Freezing winter temperatures cause yellow jacket colonies to die off, except for fertilized queens that go into hiding. Yellow jackets are dormant in winter and will not show interest in hummingbird feeders.
Typical daily activity patterns
On a daily basis, yellow jackets follow predictable patterns of activity:
Early morning
Foraging activity starts off slowly in the early morning hours as yellow jackets emerge from their overnight resting spots. Some early rising scouts may investigate the hummingbird feeder.
Late morning
Warmer late morning temperatures see yellow jacket activity pick up. More foragers take to the air to search for food. Nearby feeders are likely to see increased pest interest.
Early afternoon
Early afternoon brings peak yellow jacket foraging as the day reaches its warmest point. Maximum numbers of workers are out hunting for themselves and their colonies, leading to potential feeder swarms.
Late afternoon
As the day cools in late afternoon, yellow jacket activity begins to taper off as they start settling back into their nests overnight. Fewer pests will be out probing feeders at this time.
Dusk/night
By dusk and nighttime, most yellow jacket foraging ceases as the insects become inactive in the darkness. They retreat back to their colonies to rest until morning.
Weather conditions that bring out yellow jackets
Certain weather factors can trigger increased yellow jacket foraging activity and lead to greater feeder harassment:
Warm temperatures
Yellow jackets thrive in warm weather and are most active when temperatures are above 65°F. Their peak activity occurs on hot days in the 80-90°F range. High temperatures rev up their sugar-seeking energy levels.
Cool nights
While yellow jackets prefer warm days, surprisingly cool nights can also spur greater daytime food foraging. Cooler overnight temperatures deprive yellow jackets of warmth needed for energy, causing them to hunt for carbohydrate-rich foods like feeder nectar to boost themselves during the day.
Dry conditions
Humidity and moisture are detrimental to yellow jackets, while drier conditions favor greater activity. Low rainfall periods often see spikes in yellow jacket populations and food hunting behaviors. Nectar feeders help them offset dehydration.
Fall
Early fall brings a combination of factors ideal for yellow jackets – warm days, cool nights, and lower precipitation. Feeders see heavy yellow jacket interest in September/October as the insects gorge on nectar calories before winter.
What makes my yard or feeder particularly vulnerable?
Certain factors may make your specific yard or hummingbird feeder more prone to yellow jacket issues:
Woods nearby
Properties bordering wooded areas face greater exposure to yellow jackets. The insects nest in hollow logs, tree cavities, and underground burrows which abound in wooded environments. Close forest proximity means more yellow jacket colony nest sites nearby.
Unmaintained areas
Overgrown, unmanaged sections of your landscape give yellow jackets places to construct nests undiscovered. Pruning vegetation, removing leaf litter/debris, and tidying up your property can eliminate nesting habitat.
Previous exposure
Once yellow jackets find a productive food source, they remember the location for future exploitation. Feeders that have already been discovered by yellow jackets are at high risk of repeated unwanted visits.
Abundant food waste
Improperly contained garbage, exposed compost heaps, and accumulated dropped fruit/debris provide sustenance for yellow jackets. Well-fed yellow jackets are more likely to seek out supplemental nectar from feeders.
Feeder placement
Feeders positioned near deck railings, fence posts, trees/shrubs, and other structures give yellow jackets places to perch and lie in wait until feeding opportunities arise.
Avoiding overly aggressive behavior when dealing with yellow jackets
It’s understandable to feel frustrated and want to act out aggressively when faced with a yard or feeder overrun by yellow jackets. But reactionary swatting, crushing, or trying to exterminate them may actually backfire and cause the situation to get worse. Aggressive practices can incite attack responses from yellow jackets leading to painful stings. It’s best to avoid overly assertive control tactics.
Since yellow jackets are just following their natural instincts driven by biology, a passive management approach focused on deterrence is more effective and safer. Simple modifications around your yard and feeders to make them less welcoming to yellow jackets, along with trapping, will over time reduce their numbers and problematic activity.
A level-headed, controlled response allows you to take proactive steps toward resolution while avoiding potentially dangerous defensive retaliation from riled up yellow jackets. With the right changes, your yard can become less hospitable to the pests so you can better enjoy your outdoor space.
Why eliminating yellow jacket nests alone often provides only temporary relief
It’s tempting to think completely wiping out nearby yellow jacket nests will provide permanent relief from issues around your hummingbird feeder. But the reality is that removing nests by itself frequently yields only temporary improvement. Here’s why:
New queens can establish fresh nests
Even if you destroy every visible nest on your property, new fertilized queens emerge in fall to overwinter and build new nests in spring. The cycle simply begins again. Yellow jacket queens are resilient and will take advantage of any favorable nesting habitat.
Hidden nests may remain
It can be hard to locate every single yellow jacket nest site, especially if they are underground or concealed behind walls/ vegetation. Any remaining undiscovered colonies will continue churning out problematic foragers.
Foragers live up to two weeks
Worker yellow jackets that have already identified your feeder as a food bonanza can survive up to two weeks, even if their nest is destroyed. These veteran feeder-savvy foragers will return habitually during their prolonged lifespan.
Nearby wild nests can’t be eliminated
Removing nests on your own property provides no protection against yellow jackets from neighboring untreated areas. Foragers from wild outdoor colonies can still find your feeder.
New foragers recruit quickly
As soon as a yellow jacket locates your feeder, it can rapidly communicate the discovery to other workers back at the colony. Soon you’ll see brand new waves of yellow jackets inundating your feeder site.
Avoiding excessively close-up photography when filming yellow jackets on feeders
It’s understandable that you’ll want to grab photos or video of yellow jackets swarming your hummingbird feeder to document the problem. However, exercising caution and avoiding extremely close-up photography is advised. Here’s why it’s best not to shove a camera directly into feeding yellow jackets:
Risk of retaliation stings
Getting a camera overly near yellow jackets while they are actively feeding can perceived as a threat, triggering aggressive defensive responses. Stinging is their way of protecting themselves.
Feeder damage
Attempting tight photos often requires repositioning a feeder, which may disrupt yellow jacket feeding. The disturbed insects are more apt to vandalize the feeder.
Health dangers
Close proximity raises your chances of inadvertent contact with yellow jackets. Stings can be medically dangerous to those allergic.
Difficult lighting conditions
Photographing a scene packed with fast moving insects makes proper lighting tough. Flash may be required for detail, but risks angering them.
Limited useful documentation
Ultimately, distant establishing shots likely provide adequate visual evidence of the issue without need for macro magnification right in the thick of the feeder activity.
The smartest approach is capturing long-range photos and videos from a safe distance that doesn’t disturb feeding. This avoids provoking yellow jackets while still documenting the problem for evidence to support control measures.
How yellow jackets differ from other feeder pests like hummingbirds, bees, and wasps
Yellow jackets have some similarities to other creatures that visit hummingbird feeders, but also some key differences that contribute to their problematic pest status:
Vs hummingbirds
– Hummingbirds are the desired visitors that politely feed through specially designed ports. Yellow jackets aggressively swarm and damage feeder parts to access nectar.
– Hummingbirds insert their long slim beaks into ports. Yellow jackets have short, chomping mouthparts that can’t effectively feed through ports.
– Hummingbirds briefly feed then depart. Yellow jackets greedily linger at the feeding sites.
– Hummingbirds are docile and non-aggressive. Yellow jackets will sting in defense of a disturbed food source.
Vs honeybees
– Honeybees have fuzzier bodies and are more yellow/orange. Yellow jackets have smoother, more black-and-yellow striped abdomens.
– Honeybees are mildly tempered pollinators that gently sip nectar. Yellow jackets aggressively slash into feeders.
– Honeybees have branched hairs for gathering pollen. Yellow jackets have smooth, hairless bodies.
– Honeybees feed individually.
