How to Stop Bees From Coming Into Hummingbird Feeders
The content of hummingbird feeders approximates the sugar content of nectar. As a result, various insects find the sugar solution in hummingbird feeders attractive. Ants, bees and wasps often eat from hummingbird feeders, contaminating the sugar solution and discouraging hummingbirds from visiting. Several methods can help you keep bees away from hummingbird feeders so that more hummingbirds would visit your backyard. Some of these methods could get rid of wasps as well. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Dilute the sugar solution so that it contains five parts water and one part sugar. According to the University of Kentucky, bees like a stronger sugar solution than hummingbirds.
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Fit a bee guard over the feeding port of the hummingbird feeder. A bee guard, made of plastic mesh, works as a physical barrier so that bees can't reach the sugar solution, while hummingbirds with their long tongues could access it easily. Use a red bee guard and avoid yellow bee guards because the color yellow actually attracts bees, according to Cornell University.
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Change your feeder to a saucer-shaped one. This feeder style consists of a container and a lid with holes as feeding ports. Bees can't reach the sugar solution in this feeder because it is too low, while hummingbirds can eat from it easily.
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Move the feeder to another location. According to Cornell University, the hummingbirds will find it easily, while bees might never locate it again.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a bee guard when you first hang the hummingbird feeder outside for best results. Adding a bee guard when the bees have begun regularly visiting the feeder does not stop them immediately from coming.
References
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