Bees in Bird Feeders
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“Charlotte are these your bees? They are taking over my hummingbird feeders and I don’t know how to make them leave. Will they attack me?” — Robin
Bees in Bird Feeders
Hi Robin, I doubt those bees in your hummingbird feeders are mine, you live more than 20 miles from my house. At their best, bees travel 5 miles from their hives but I understand the challenge of having them taking over your hummingbird feeders.
Here are some ways to keep bees out of hummingbird feeders:
Use a red hummingbird feeder. Bees are less attracted to the color red than hummingbirds are, so using a red feeder can help to deter bees.
Get nectar guards. Nectar guards are small screens or disks that fit over the feeding ports of hummingbird feeders. They make the holes too small for bees to get through, but they allow hummingbirds to feed.
Plug leaks. Bees are attracted to the sweet smell of nectar, so any leaks in your feeder will only attract more bees. Make sure your feeder is leak-proof.
Keep the feeder in the shade. Bees are less active in the shade, so keeping your feeder in a shady spot can help to deter them.
Relocate the feeder frequently. Bees will eventually learn where your feeder is located, so relocating it every few days can help to keep them guessing.
Use a decoy feeder. You can also try using a decoy feeder to attract the bees away from your hummingbird feeder. Fill a shallow bowl with a stronger sugar solution than you would use for hummingbirds, and place it in a sunny spot. The bees will be attracted to the stronger solution, and they will leave your hummingbird feeder alone.
Use essential oils. Bees are repelled by certain essential oils, such as peppermint and eucalyptus. You can add a few drops of essential oil to the water in your hummingbird feeder, or you can rub the oil on the outside of the feeder.
It is important to note that some of these methods may not be effective for all bees. If you have a particularly persistent problem with bees, you may need to try a combination of methods.
Here are some additional tips to keep bees away from hummingbird feeders:
Clean your feeder regularly. Bees are attracted to the smell of dirty feeders.
Use fresh nectar. Old nectar can ferment and attract bees.
Do not overfeed the hummingbirds. Bees are attracted to the sweet smell of nectar, so overfeeding the hummingbirds will only attract more bees.
Plant flowers. Hummingbirds need nectar and pollen to survive, so planting flowers in your yard will help to attract them away from your feeder.
Bees turn to hummingbird feeders when they can’t find food in nature so planting plants that bloom in summer will help to keep them fed and away from your hummingbird feeders.
