How to Keep Bees Away from Hummingbird Feeders
Hummingbirds are a delightful sight in any garden, with their vibrant colors and fascinating flying skills. But if you’ve ever set up a hummingbird feeder, you know that bees often show up to steal the nectar. Not only can this interfere with your hummingbird feeding experience, but it can also cause a mess and make the feeder difficult to clean.
In this guide, we’ll share some simple and effective tips to help you keep bees away from your hummingbird feeders while still providing a welcoming environment for these tiny, beautiful birds. Plus, we’ll introduce you to a perfect solution to make hummingbird feeding even better: our Smart Bird House Solar Powered Feeder. Keep reading to learn how you can improve your backyard with the best hummingbird feeder that keeps bees at bay!
Why Do Bees Visit Hummingbird Feeders?
Bees are naturally drawn to the sweet nectar in hummingbird feeders because it provides them with the energy they need. When flowers are in short supply—such as during droughts, heatwaves, or at the end of the growing season—bees look for other sources of sugar water, including your feeder.
Additionally, wasps and hornets may also swarm around the feeder, especially in the fall when their numbers peak. This can cause a lot of competition and stress for hummingbirds, who may avoid the feeder altogether if it’s overrun with bees.
While it’s normal for hummingbirds and bees to share the same food sources in nature, it’s often best to keep the two separate in your garden for a peaceful feeding experience. Here are some practical tips to prevent bees from taking over your hummingbird feeder.
1. Choose the Right Hummingbird Feeder
The first step in keeping bees away is to choose a feeder that’s designed to make it hard for them to reach the nectar. Bees have shorter tongues than hummingbirds, so you can use this to your advantage by picking feeders that are designed for hummingbird tongues but not for bees.
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Saucer-type feeders: These are great for preventing bees because the nectar sits at a level that bees can’t reach. Hummingbirds, on the other hand, have long tongues that can easily access the nectar.
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Small feeding ports: Look for feeders with smaller ports (about 1/4 inch wide). This will allow the hummingbirds to feed but keep the bees away, as their tongues are too short to reach the nectar.
Our Smart Bird House Solar Powered Feeder for a solution that keeps both bees and other pests at bay while offering a stylish and functional way to attract hummingbirds to your garden.
2. Place the Bird Feeder in the Right Spot
Bees prefer sunny areas, while hummingbirds are more attracted to shaded spots. Placing your feeder in a shaded area will help reduce the likelihood of attracting bees. Additionally, keeping the nectar cooler in the shade helps prevent it from spoiling quickly, so you don’t have to refill it as often.
Many hummingbird feeders come in bright colors like red, which attract hummingbirds, but bees are also drawn to yellow. If your feeder has yellow accents, consider moving it to a shady spot to make the color less noticeable to bees.
3. Regularly Clean Your Hummingbird Feeder
A dirty feeder will attract bees because of the sugar residue on the outside. Make sure to clean your hummingbird feeder regularly, especially during the warmer weather. This will help keep bees from finding sugar water on the outside of the feeder.
When cleaning, also check for leaks or cracks in the feeder. If nectar leaks out, bees will find it. Well-maintained bird feeders will keep the bees away and ensure your hummingbirds have easy access to clean nectar.
4. Move the Feeder
If bees have already discovered your feeder, moving it to a new location can help. Try moving it at least 10 feet away, or even better, move it to the other side of a tree. This gives the bees time to find other food sources, while the hummingbirds will quickly find the relocated feeder.
5. Use Bee Guards or Nectar Guards
Bee guards, which are small devices that attach to the feeding ports, can be very effective at keeping bees out. These guards help ensure that only hummingbirds can access the nectar. Although the guards might be yellow (a color that attracts bees), they actually work by increasing the distance between the bee’s tongue and the nectar, preventing bees from reaching it.
Our Smart Bird House Solar Powered Feeder comes with built-in bee guards, making it an excellent choice for keeping bees away while giving your hummingbirds a safe place to feed.
6. Plant a Bee-Friendly Garden
While you want to keep bees away from your hummingbird feeder, it’s important to remember that bees play a vital role in our ecosystem. One way to keep bees busy and away from your feeders is to plant a pollinator garden with flowers that bees love. Plants like coneflowers, bee balm, butterfly weed, and Russian sage will help attract bees to your garden, reducing their need to visit your feeder.
7. Use a Fake Wasp Nest
Wasps are territorial creatures, so hanging a fake wasp nest near your hummingbird feeder can help deter them. Wasps won’t invade areas where other wasps are present, so this trick can reduce the number of bees and wasps around your feeder.
Conclusion
Keeping bees away from your hummingbird feeder doesn’t have to be difficult. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy watching hummingbirds in your garden without the distraction of bees. Choose the right feeder, clean it regularly, and place it in a shady spot to keep bees at bay. And if you want a hassle-free solution, check out our Smart Bird House Solar Powered Feeder, which comes with built-in bee guards and a sleek design that will make your hummingbird feeding experience even better.
Don’t forget to plant a pollinator-friendly garden for the bees, so everyone gets the food they need. If you have any tips for keeping bees away from your hummingbird feeder, feel free to share them in the comments below. Happy birdwatching!
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